Textbook Question
What is the function of the intervertebral discs?
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Ch. 7 The Skeleton
Marieb, Hoehn11th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874034
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 The Human Body: An Orientation24
- Ch. 2 Chemistry Comes Alive25
- Ch. 3 Cells: The Living Units21
- Ch. 4 Tissue: The Living Fabric20
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System11
- Ch. 6 Bones and Skeletal Tissues19
- Ch. 7 The Skeleton14
- Ch. 8 Joints7
- Ch. 9 Muscles and Muscle Tissue26
- Ch. 10 The Muscular System26
- Ch. 11 Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue19
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System26
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System and Reflex Activity32
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System19
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses26
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System23
- Ch. 17 Blood25
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System: The Heart24
- Ch. 19 The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels27
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues14
- Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses27
- Ch. 22 The Respiratory System21
- Ch. 23 The Digestive System31
- Ch. 24 Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance26
- Ch. 25 The Urinary System26
- Ch. 26 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance24
- Ch. 27 The Reproductive System24
- Ch. 28 Pregnancy and Human Development25
- Ch. 29 Heredity11
Marieb, Hoehn11th EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874034Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 6
Which ribs are floating ribs and why are they called that?
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Identify the total number of ribs in the human rib cage, which is 12 pairs, and understand their general classification into true ribs, false ribs, and floating ribs.
Recognize that floating ribs are specifically the 11th and 12th pairs of ribs in the rib cage.
Understand that floating ribs are called 'floating' because they do not attach to the sternum or to other ribs via cartilage, unlike true and false ribs.
Note that floating ribs are only attached to the vertebrae at the back and have free anterior ends, which is why they appear to 'float' without anterior connection.
Summarize that the floating ribs provide protection to the kidneys and other posterior organs but have more mobility due to their lack of anterior attachment.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Floating Ribs
Floating ribs are the last two pairs of ribs (11th and 12th) in the rib cage that do not attach to the sternum or to other ribs in the front of the body. They are shorter and only connected to the vertebrae at the back.
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2:45
The Thoracic Cage Example 1
Anatomical Attachment of Ribs
Ribs typically connect to the thoracic vertebrae at the back and to the sternum at the front via costal cartilage. Floating ribs lack this anterior attachment, which distinguishes them from true and false ribs.
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02:33Anatomical Sections
Reason for the Term 'Floating'
They are called 'floating' ribs because their anterior ends are free and do not connect to the sternum or other ribs, giving the appearance that they 'float' without a front anchor.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Distinguish between the anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus regions of a disc. Which provides durability and strength? Which provides resilience? Which part is involved in a 'slipped' disc?
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Textbook Question
Use key choices to identify the bone descriptions that follow.
Key:
a. carpals
b. femur
c. fibula
d. humerus
e. radius
f. tarsals
g. tibia
h. ulna
______ (1) articulates with the acetabulum and the tibia
______ (2) forms the lateral aspect of the ankle
______ (3) bone that 'carries' the hand
______ (4) the wrist bones
______ (5) end shaped like a monkey wrench
______ (6) articulates with the capitulum of the humerus
______ (7) largest bone of this 'group' is the calcaneus
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Textbook Question
How do the relative proportions of the cranium and face of a fetus compare with those of an adult skull?
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