Anatomy

Question 1

What does the spine join to?

Answer 1

Occiput
Sacrum (Sacroiliojoint)

Question 2

What is the purpose of the facet joints?

Answer 2

Stabilise the spinal column while allowing movement

Question 3

What is present with a facet joint?

Answer 3

Superior/inferior facet articulations
Synovial joints
Hyaline cartilage

Question 4

What can go wrong with facet joints?

Answer 4

OA
Pain
Ostephytes can cause nerve root impingement

Question 5

What process accompanies C2 (axis)?

Answer 5

Dens process

Question 6

What is the upper cervical region?

Answer 6

C1-C2

Question 7

What movement does the Atlanto-occipital joint have?

Answer 7

Flexion/extension

Lateral flexions

Question 8

What movement does the atlanto-dens joint have?>

Answer 8

Rotation (dens acts as the pivot)

Question 9

Where is the greatest risk of injury within the spinal column?

Answer 9

Cervico-thoracic and thoraco-lumbar junctions

Question 10

What is the thing between the vertebrae called?

Answer 10

Anulus fibrosus

Question 11

What’s the centre of the anulus fibrosus called?

Answer 11

The nucleus pulposus

Question 12

Describe the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 12

Gelatinous

semi-fluid

Question 13

What ligaments run down the length of the vertebral column?

Answer 13

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 14

What ligament is tough, elastic and links the vertebral laminae?

Answer 14

Ligamentum flavum

Question 15

Is the supraspinous ligament tough or weak?

Answer 15

Tough

Question 16

Are the intraspinous ligaments tough or weak?

Answer 16

Weak (relatively)

Question 17

What is the 3 Column Theory of Denis?

Answer 17

1 column injured = stable
2 columns injured = maybe unstable
3 columns injured = unstable

Question 18

What is the purpose of the sacroilliac joint?

Answer 18

Shock absorption

Joins spine to hip

Question 19

What types of muscles accompany the spine?

Answer 19

Superficial (extrinsics)
Intermediate
Deep (intrinsics)

Question 20

What is the Sarratus posterior superior/inferior

Answer 20

An intermediate muscle
Originates from the spinous process
Insertions is the ribs

Question 21

What are the superficial muscles?

Answer 21

1. Trapezius
2. Latissimus dorsi
3. Rhomboid minor & major
4. Levatus scapularis

Question 22

What can go wrong with the superficial muscles?

Answer 22

Tenderness due to spasm

Wasting from disuse or denervation

Question 23

Describe the trapezius

Answer 23

Originates from the spinous process –> T12
Inserts into the occiput, spine of scapula
innervated by Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Question 24

What is the function of the trapezius muscles?

Answer 24

Elevates and depresses scapula

retracts scapula

Question 25

Describe the Latissimus dorsi

Answer 25

Broadest in the back Originates from the spinous process and pelvis Insertions is the humerus Innervated by C6,C7,C8

Question 26

What are the functions of the Latissimus dorsi?

Answer 26

Adducts, extends and internally rotates the humerus

Question 27

Describe the Rhomboid major/minor

Answer 27

Minor is from the spinous process of C7/T1 The major is from the spinous process of T2-T5 Insertion is the scapula Innervated by the dorsal scapula nerve C3/C4

Question 28

Describe the Levatus Scapularis

Answer 28

Origin is the transverse process of C1 Insertion is the superior angle of the scapula innervated by branches C4/C5

Question 29

What is the function of the rhomboid major/minor?

Answer 29

Keeps the scapula against the thoracic wall | retracts scapula

Question 30

What is the function of the levatus scapularis?

Answer 30

Elevates scapula

Question 31

What are the deep (intinsic) muscles of the spine?

Answer 31

The erector spinae muscles

Question 32

What is the lateral erector spinae muscle?

Answer 32

Iliocostalis

Question 33

What is the medial erector spinae muscle?

Answer 33

Spinalis thoracis

Question 34

What erector spinae muscle lies between the lateral and medial?

Answer 34

Longisimus thoracis

Question 35

What is the origin of the erector spinae muscles?

Answer 35

Occiput of the skull

Question 36

What is the insertion of the erector spinae muscles?

Answer 36

Pelvis (multiple level attachments along the thoracic wall)

Question 37

What is the innervation of the erector spinae muscles?

Answer 37

Posterior rami of the spinal nerves