The spine includes seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five fused sacral and four fused coccygeal vertebrae. The cartilaginous fluid-filled disc that are in between the bodies of each of the vertebrae segments, are cushion to our spine.
The thorax (ribcage), assists us in breathing and also serves as a protector of our heart. It consists of twelve ribs on each side; seven "true" ribs and five "false" ribs. The bottom to our considered "floating" ribs because they are directly attached to the thorax, but instead in the abdominal wall.
In drawing our ribcage and vertebrae, I connected both of them to show where the ribcage connects onto the thoracic vertebrae. The seven "true" ribs are connected the the top seven thoracic vertebrates, while the five "false" ribs are connected to the seventh vertebrate all together. The intercostal muscles between each rib allow for movement in breathing. The ribcage also protects organs such as the heart.
ReplyDeleteA vertebrae consists of cartilage fluid filled discs in between each vertebrae to allow for smooth mobility and protection in between each joint of connection. In the drawing of the vertebrae, we had to label the transverse processes, the spinious process, and the hole in the middle of the vertebrae where the spinal cord runs through. Also, one can't forget to draw the sternum where all of the ribs connect.
Imagine the body of the vertebrae as the seat of a motorcycle
Feel the weight transfer down the bodies of the vertebrae
A sense of "standing in your cord" when one stands alone and finds their plumb line. Yes your body is always moving and working to stand straight as it makes minor adjustments, but we can also shift our plumb line and maneuver it. I think of our movements of the vertebrae as snake like as we can move them to the left starting with the cervical vertebrates and leading with the head as the rest follow. But one can lead with the ribcage, and in a sense the ribcage steers the vertebrae movements. After reading that the ribcage is like the driver and steers the vertebrae, I felt this sensation when I did the snake movements from side to side and front to back as well.
Tracing the rib, with a partner
First we started with our partner walking down the spine. Like the itsy bitsy spider walk, we both walked down each others spines and felt each vertebrae bone. Landmarks of the top of the cervical (C1) is where there is a soft spot just under the skull and the top of the thoracic (T1) sticks out making both of them easy to find. I tried to count when tracing Thao's vertebrae to figure out where the lumbar spine began. It was easier when I then traced her ribcage and found the connection of the 12th rib of the back of the ribcage marking the bottom of the thoracic region where the floating ribs are also located. It's easier to understand the anatomy of the body as you feel it on another body, as well as your own body. Lying on my side and being rocked back and forth brought my awareness to the movements of my ribcage and vertebrae and how they work together to form so many intricate movements and isolations in dance class.
KATIE
Feel the weight transfer down the bodies of the vertebrae
ReplyDeleteOur mental consciousness is extremely powerful. Just imagining our spinal cord dropping down the posterior end of our spine can cause a large weight transfer in our bodies. This shows how much our minds can alter our posture and position without physically having to change anything.
Tracing the ribs, working alone
As I’m tracing my ribs, I’m looking at the photo and images of the ribs to help me identify each parts of the ribs. It’s actually hard for me to visualize each rib and which one I’m actually sensing. It was easy for me to identify the floating ribs because they were the only one not connected to my sternum. However, I had trouble differentiating each rib from the one next to it. Anatomy is challenging! Tracing my ribs from the back became MUCH easier to differentiate and rather more difficult to reach.
It’s amazing how the ribs function as a protector to our organs but yet, they seem to be so fragile. I know people often break their ribs but what if a rib was protruding their organs. That must be painful!
Tracing the ribs with a partner
As a partner was tracing my ribs: it helped me locate and feel the unfamiliar ribs of another person other than myself. It also gave me the opportunity to focus on my breathing and to become aware of how the ribs shift along with my breathing patterns. It’s funny how our ribs are attached to the sternum with little mobility within its structures, but other parts of that area (spine) allow much more movement.
THAO