Thorax - transverse section

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The vertebral column forms the backbone. This bony structure protects the spinal cord. The column runs from the neck to the pelvis (hips). It includes the 7 cervical vertebrae of the neck, 12 thoracic vertebrae which articulate posteriorly with the ribs, 5 lumbar vertebrae of the lower back, the sacrum, which consists of 5 fused bones, and is responsible for transmitting the weight of the body to the hips, and lastly the coccyx - 2-4 fused bones which form the vestigal remains of a tail.

Key points in this image
lungs | ribs | right atrium | left atrium | right ventricle | left ventricle | serratus anterior | latissimus dorsi | erector spinae | pectoralis major |
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Information
Module Name: thorax
Module Title: Thorax - transverse section
Image Info: Gross specimen.
Created by: Lynn Bry
Contact Email:bryl@medicine.wustl.edu
Last modified: Dec 12th, 1996
Created with Annotation 1.0