3. Anatomy of neck, back, chest and trunk

Question 1

the spine is split into which five parts? how many vertebrae in each part?

Answer 1

cervical spine - 7 vertebrae
thoracic spine - 12 vertebrae
lumbar spine - 5 vertebrae
sacrum - 5 fused vertebrae
coccyx - 4 fused vertebrae

Question 2

what is the vertebrae made up of?

Answer 2

a vertebral body and a vertebral arch with one spinous and two transverse processes…the large opening between the body and the arch is the intervertebral foramina or foremen….between each vertebrae there is intervertabral disc

Question 3

How are back muscles categorised? and what muscles are involved in each category?

Answer 3

extrinsic muscles are divided into superficial and intermediate…superficial: trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae, rhomboid muscles; intermediate: serratus posterior muscles

intrinsic muscles are divided into superficial, deep and deepest layer….superficial: splenius muscles and erector spinae muscles (iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis), deep: transversospinal (semispinalis, multifidus, rotatores), deepest: interspinales, intertransversarii muscles

Question 4

what are the primary functions of latissimus dorsi, trapezius and rhomboid muscles?

Answer 4

Lat: adduction, extension and internal rotation of the arm

Trap: superior fibers > shrug shoulder, extend the head at the neck, elevate the scapula; middle fibers > retract the scapula; inferior fibers > depress the scapula

rhomboid: retract scapula

Question 5

Iliopsoas is the deepest muscle of the posterior abdominal wall. T or F

Answer 5

F, should be quadratus lumborum

Question 6

What is the function of quadratus lumborum?

Answer 6

stabilizes vertebral column and rib during spinal movement

Question 7

What muscles should be trained to treat kyphosis?

Answer 7

back and core muscles strengthening and chest muscle stretching

Question 8

Nucleus pulposus (gel-like substance) breaks through the anulus fibrosus (tire-like structure) of an intervertebral disc (spinal shock absorber). What do we call this? and what are the exercise precautions?

Answer 8

Disc herniation…avoid excessive lumbar spine flexion and rotation. keep lower back in lordosis and avoid heavy axial loading (vertical compression of spine)

Question 9

The narrowing of the spaces within the spine. What do we call this? and what are the exercise precautions?

Answer 9

Spinal stenosis….avoid back extension

Question 10

What do you call it when one of the vertebrae in your spine slips out of position?and what are the exercise precautions?

Answer 10

Spondylolisthesis…avoid back/lumbar extension and to encourage greater lumbar flexion

Question 11

A bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases, or when the quality or structure of bone changes. What do you call this? and what are the exercise precautions?

Answer 11

osteoporosis….forward flexion combined with rotation should be avoided

Question 12

the sternocleidomastoid muscle has which two heads?

Answer 12

sternal and clavicular heads…origin at the sternal manubrium and middle part of clavicle

Question 13

the sternocleidomastoid muscle has which two heads?

Answer 13

sternal and clavicular heads…origin at the sternal manubrium and middle part of clavicle

Question 14

what are the functions of the sternocleidomastoid muscle?

Answer 14

ipsilateral flexion (flex laterally and anteriorly) and rotation of the neck to the side of contraction…also elevate sternum and clavicle and expand the thoracic cavity during breathing

Question 15

how many scalene muscles are there on each side of the neck? between where to where?

Answer 15

three (anterior, middle and posterior) on each side, between transverse process of cervical vertebrae and upper two ribs

Question 16

what are the functions of scalene muscles? how do they help with respiration?

Answer 16

anterior flexion, lateral flexion and rotation of neck…they elevate the ribs during inspiration

Question 17

during motions like sit-up, the psoas extend/flex the upper vertebrae while flexing/extending the lower vertebrae, creating a shearing motion on the spine

Answer 17

extend….flexing…..

Question 18

Where is the origin and insertion of psoas major? and what actions does it do?

Answer 18

origin: bodies, transverse processes and intervertebral discs of T12-L5
insertion: Lesser trochanter of femur
action: hip flexion (when origin fixed), spine flexion (when insertion fixed), lateral spine flexion

Question 19

What are the main abdominal muscles?

Answer 19

rectus abdominis (run vertically)
external oblique muscles (run diagonally downward and inward, forming the letter V)
internal oblique muscles (at right angle to external oblique)
transverse abdominis (run horizontally)

Question 20

Which 4 muscles are involved in the pectoral region?

Answer 20

pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, serratus anterior, subclavius

Question 21

what does the superior part of serratus anterior muscle do to the scapula?

Answer 21

it depresses the scapula

Question 22

which are the two heads of the pectoralis major and what actions are involved?

Answer 22

clavicular head: shoulder flexion
sternal head: shoulder extension from flexed position
both heads: shoulder adduction

Question 23

what is the origin and insertion of serratus anterior muscle? what movement does it involve?

Answer 23

origin: 1st to 10th rib
insertion: medial border of anterior surface of scapula
movement: anterolateral movement or protraction of scapula along the ribs (as accessory inspiratory muscle)

Question 24

The superior part of serratus anterior muscle elevate or depress the scapula?

Answer 24

depress; while the inferior part elevates the scapula

Question 25

how to strengthen back muscles? To be tested….

Answer 25

lat pulldown…