The document discusses the anatomy and functions of the vertebral column. It notes that the vertebral column consists of 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccyx vertebrae. While the back appears flexible, movement between individual vertebrae is small. The spine can be vulnerable to injury, especially in the neck, due to its thin shape relative to the weight it supports. Activities like lifting heavy objects improperly can strain the ligaments between vertebrae.

1. The vertebral column

2. Introduction

3. How many pieces are there? Keep saying the numbers to a beat: 7 12 5 5 4 TASK: Create your own rhyme to remember the order. Rhyme name Location 4 Tail remains Coccyx Cuddles 5 pelvis Sacrum Some 5 Lower back Lumbar Love 12 Attached to ribs Thoracic Teddies 7 Neck Cervical Cute

4. Parts of a vertebra

5. Atlas and axis Atlas axis

6. Task How do we warm up our neck joint before physical activity? What is the job/function of each?

7. Why the spine is regarded as weak for some activities The shape of the spine is fairly thin for the weight it is expected to carry and support. Additional activity where we have to lift or carry can be dangerous. If we break our spine we will damage our spinal cord. This can result in paralysis or death.

8. Why the spine is regarded as weak for some activities Look at the shape of the neck. It is particularly vulnerable to injury. Lower down, the spine is supported by ribs and it becomes thicker.

9. Task Copy the table below and add 2 neck-related examples of your own. Body weight lands on your neck at a band angle and breaks it Collapsed scrum Rugby Possible result incident Sport

11. Why the spine is regarded as weak for some activities Look at the movement of the back it looks very flexible … .but in fact it’s not!

12. Look at the movement of the back it looks very flexible Between each vertebra you have a disc of cartilage. When we bend there is a small amount of movement between each one. Many vertebrae means there is a lot of movement.

13. Task When we play golf, the spine seems to move a lot. How can this be?

14. Look at the movement of the back it looks very flexible If you lift something badly or bend over or twist unexpectedly you can tear or strain the ligaments holding the vertebrae. This is called a ‘slipped disc’.

15. Task List four functions of the skeleton. Using these four functions, explain how the vertebrae help fulfil those functions.