7 Cervical Spine Flashcards
What are the spine stabilizing subsystems?
- Passive subsystem – vertebrae, discs, ligs
- Active subsystem – muscles and tendons surrounding spinal column
- Neural subsystem – nerves and CNS which determine the requirements for spinal stability and directs the active (mm) subsystem to provide the needed stability
What’s the Neutral Zone and Elastic Zone?
The neutral zone is a region of high flexibility. The elastic zone is a region of high stiffness. The two zones together constitute the physiological range of motion of joint. The neutral zone is where spinal motion encounters minimal resistance. A joint with increased laxity will have an increased neutral zone.
What are the global muscles of the trunk?
- Rectus abdominus
- External and Internal obliques
- Quadratus lumborum (lateral portion)
- Erector spinae
- Iliopsoas
What are the deep segmental muscles of the trunk?
- Transversus abdominis
- Multifidus
- Quadratus lumborum (deep portion)
- Deep rotators
What are the global muscles of the cervical spine?
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Scalenes
- Levator Scapulae
- Upper Trapezius
- Erector Spinae
What are the deep segmental muscles of the cervical spine?
- Deep neck flexors
- Multifidus
Where in the cervical spine is the most likely location of degeneration?
C5-C6: most of the flexion/extension of the cervical spine happens at this segment. Almost as much movement occurs at C4-C5 and C6-C7. Because of this mobility, degeneration is more likely to be seen at these levels.
What kind of joints are the facet joints of the cervical spine?
synovial plane
At what degree of orientation do the facet joint face?
45° posterior to anterior
In which direction to the superior particular facets of the C-spine face?
Superiorly, posteriorly, medially
What movement is coupled with C2-C7 lateral flexion?
Axial rotation in same direction
Where in the C-spine are there no intervertebral discs?
upper C-spine
What’s the aka for facet joints?
zygapophyseal joints
What mobes should be used to improve lateral flexion?
Same as with rotation: i.e. lateral glide using spinous process toward contralateral side OR ant glide of contralateral facet
What’s it called when nerve roots are compressed as they leave the IVF?
radiculopathy
What symptoms can present with radiculopathy at the C-spine?
- sensory deficits
- motor weakness (without pain)
- reduced reflexes
At what point would compression of Brachial Plexus lead to S/S usually affecting the entire arm?
When trapped between ant and mid scalenes.
What point of compression along the nerve path would likely result in specific dermatome/myotome S/S present?
radiculopathy (nerve root compression)
What are the facet joint referral patterns of the C-spine?
- C2-3: back of head
- C3-4: back of neck
- C4-5: back of neck
- C5-6: suprascapular
- C6-7: scapula/thorax
What mm TrP referrals are associated with the C-Spine?
- scalenes
- levator scapula
- upper trapezius
- splenius capitis
- splenius cervicis
- SCM
- suboccipitals
- longissimus capitis
- semispinalis capitis
- cervical multifidus
What’s the definition of whiplash?
soft tissue traumatic injury (strain/sprain) of the cervical spine resulting from an acceleration-deceleration mechanism
What are the grades of whiplash-associated disorders under the Quebec task Force system?