Sports Medicine Ribs and Spine Study Sheet

Made By: Eden, Iram, Diana, and Lei L. 603

Spinal Column
24 spinal bones in total
Cartilage in between bones are called
vertebral disks
Vertebral disks act as shock absorbers
Also called the vertebral column
Starts at the base of the skull and continues
down near the pelvis
Spinal column is relied on to protect the
spinal cord and support the back
A broken vertebrae does not mean
damage to the spinal cord (it may but not always)
Becomes larger the lower it is as it needs to
support more weight
Cervical bones
C1-C7
the first two are called Atlas(C1) and Axis(C2)
Supports the neck and allow it to move
Thoracic bones
T1-T12
Each have a rib attached (24 ribs in total)
Lumbar bones
Largest of the spinal bones
L1-L5
Located at the base of the spine
Carries most of the weight on the body
Sacrum

Not fused together in young babies

In humans, the sacrum is connected to the Lumbar Vertebrae and the coccyx

Coccyx (Tail bone)

This bone is no longer used in modern day humans.
Can be fractured when a person falls straight down on his/her Gluteus Maximus

Thorax

Located between the base of the neck and the diaphragm

Made up of 12 thoracic vertebrae, the ribs, and the sternum
Main function is provide protection for the lungs and heart

Rib Cage
24 ribs in total, 12 pairs of 2
7 true ribs, number 1-7 (connected to individual thoracic vertebrae)
3 false ribs, number 8-10 (connects to rib number 7 and the sternum)
2 floating ribs in the back, number 11-12 (not connected to the
sternum/breastbone)
Costal cartilage connects them to the sternum or breastbone
Bottom tip of the sternum is called the xiphoid process
Top of the sternum is called manubrium
Muscle Injuries
If you have a muscle injury, you dont want to sneeze.
Most back pain/injuries are muscle related
Caused by pulling, lifting, reaching, twisting, or falling (not properly for some)
Rest for treatment
Ice for 24 hours, then heat
Medication for possible pain and swelling
Fractured Vertebrae
Immediately immobilize person and get to the nearest hospital
Injury to this area is usually to the body of the vertebrae
Treat as if it is a spinal cord injury
Rib Fracture
Recommended to not sneeze, cough, or laugh
Caused by direct hit or indirect trauma (violent muscle contraction)
May be recognized by displaced bone or deformity
As long as the area is protected and has no visible deformity the athlete may
continue playing
Little or no movement so the area can split itself
Nothing to do but wait for it to heal
Sleep sitting up or on the other side of injury
Use stretch belt to limit movement but not recommended (can cause pneumonia

or liquid in the lungs)

Solar Plexus Injury

A hit to the diaphragm may cause the diaphragm to stop moving (also referred to
as getting the wind knocked out of you)
The diaphragm contracts and relaxes when you breath in and out

 This may cause a temporary paralysis to the Solar Plexus muscle in which you
stop breathing for a maximum of 20 seconds.
Talk to the athlete and loosen any belt/clothing around the abdomen
Encourage short inhale and long exhale breathing