15 Clinical spinal anatomy Flashcards
What is within the nucleus pulposus and what do they do?
long chain polymers, which absorb water overnight
Which muscles are designed to increase the load-bearing area of the spine?
abdominal muscles
What are the effects of neural compression at L5 and below?
imparired sphincter and sexual function
foot and ankle weakness
What are the effects of neural compression from L2-L5?
the higher up you go the less likely they will be able to walk
What are the effects of neural compression from T1-L2
pretty much can’t walk
What are the effects of neural compression above C4?
can’t breathe
What is myelopathy?
pressure on the spinal chord causes weakness and sensory changes on upper limbs mostly
What sort of gait would you expect in those with myelopathy?
broad-base shuffling gait
What is the difference between radiculitis and radiculopathy?
‘itis’ - root pain and tension, more dermatomal
‘pathy’ - root dysfunction, more myotomal
How would scoliosis present?
shoulder assymetry
waist assymetry
How can vertebrae deformities arise?
failure of formation or segmentation
or neurally mediated, UMN (pulled over), or LMN (fall over)
Why do disc herniations recurr at such a high rate?
blood supply inhibited, so macrophage can’t get to the site to remove it and heal it again
How would you test for sciatic nerve damage?
straight leg raise test, leg pain
How would you test for femoral nerve damage
femoral stretch test
lie prone, flex knee, extend hip, back pain
What are spondolysis?
breaks in vertebrae
