Hereâs one of the more well known areas of shark anatomy. 1  The fins of a shark are easily recognizable, and immensely important. Most sharks have five different types of fins, while some sharks only have four. These types of fins include: 2  Pectoral. 3  Pelvic. 4  Dorsal. 5  Anal. 6  Caudal.
spinal column. n. 1. (Anatomy) a series of contiguous or interconnecting bony or cartilaginous segments that surround and protect the spinal cord. Also called: spine, vertebral column or rachis Nontechnical name: backbone.
The most important functions of the vertebral column are as follows: 1  Protection: it encloses the spinal cord, shielding it from damage. 2  Support: it carries the weight of the body above the pelvis (below the pelvis, the lower limbs take over).he vertebral arch refers to the lateral and posterior parts of the vertebrae. With the vertebral body, the vertebral arch forms an enclosed hole, called a vertebral foramen. The foramina of the all vertebrae line up to form the vertebral canal, which encloses the spinal cord.