vertebra
Let an agent explain vertebrae and their regions, relay anatomy and function from anatomical sources, describe common conditions in general terms, distinguish vertebrae from discs and the column as a whole, and route personal questions to clinicians.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain vertebrae and their regions, relay anatomy and function from anatomical sources, describe common conditions in general terms, distinguish vertebrae from discs and the column as a whole, and route personal questions to clinicians.
One of the irregular bones forming the vertebral column of vertebrates, in humans 33 in total comprising seven cervical vertebrae including the atlas and axis and C3 to C7, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, and the fused sacral and coccygeal vertebrae, each typically with a body, an arch enclosing the spinal canal and processes for muscles and joints, separated by intervertebral discs; vertebrae protect the spinal cord, support the body and permit movement, and are affected by fractures, degeneration and deformity.
What it is for: Supporting the body and protecting the spinal cord.
It can be explain anatomy and regions; relay function; describe conditions; route personal questions.
Distinguishing features
Body and arch
Regional variation
Spinal canal
Disc articulation
What it looks like
A bone with a rounded body and a bony arch with projecting processes.
Physical character
human vertebrae: 33 count - including fused
cervical vertebrae: 7 count - in almost all mammals
lumbar vertebral body diameter: about 4-5 cm - adult
How it is recognised
Bone of the spinal column
Cervical C1 to C7 including atlas and axis, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae
Intervertebral discs are cartilage; the vertebral column is the whole; ribs attach to thoracic vertebrae
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is a kind of - in registry terms
is a kind of - in registry terms
forms - with intervertebral discs
In practice
Families and kinds
cervical vertebrae: atlas C1, axis C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7
thoracic vertebrae
lumbar vertebrae
sacral vertebrae fused as the sacrum
coccygeal vertebrae
vertebrae in other vertebrates
Identifiers
TA2 vertebra Terminologia Anatomica
MeSH D013131 spine
Standards and regulation
Terminologia Anatomica nomenclature
Clinical guidelines on spinal injury and back pain
Failure modes and hazards
Vertebral fractures and spinal cord injury
Agents giving personal medical advice
Confusing vertebrae with discs
Also called
+3
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What a vertebra is.
Science.
Anatomy
Anatomy.
Anatomy
Anatomy.
- What are the parts of a typical vertebra, and how do regions differ? definition
- Is the question about a vertebra, a disc or the whole column? boundary
Special
Special vertebrae.
Special
Special.
- How do the atlas, axis and C7 differ from typical cervical vertebrae? definition
- Which entry fits the specific vertebra? action
Function Function.
Science.
Mechanics
Mechanics.
Mechanics
Mechanics.
- How do vertebrae, discs and ligaments support load and allow movement? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Development
Development.
Development
Development.
- How do vertebrae develop and ossify, and what variations occur? provenance
- Which entry fits somite? action
Clinical Conditions.
Clinical.
Injury
Injury.
Injury
Injury.
- What are vertebral fractures, and why do suspected spinal injuries need emergency care? action
- Is the user describing a possible spinal injury, which needs emergency services now? boundary
Conditions
Other conditions.
Conditions
Conditions.
- What conditions such as osteoporosis, spondylosis and scoliosis affect vertebrae, in general terms? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Context Comparative and history.
Context.
Comparative
Other vertebrates.
Comparative
Comparative.
- How do vertebrae differ across fish, birds, mammals and giraffes with their seven neck vertebrae? provenance
- Which entry fits comparative anatomy? action
History
History.
History
History.
- How have vertebrae been studied and named in anatomy? provenance
- Which entry fits the history of anatomy? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should atlas and axis be separate primary entries?
- How should anatomical references be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming individual cervical vertebrae; should they be split off?