Axial Skeleton Flashcards
Vertebrae function
Vertical stability
Protects spinal cord/nerve roots
Normal curves of cervica/lumbar spine
Convex anteriorly
Normal curves of thoracic/sacral spine
Convex posteriorly
LoG falls to _______ side of each curve at apex
Concave side
Ligamentum flavum action
Resists flexion
Supraspinous and interspinous ligament function
Limit flexion
Intertransverse ligament function
Resist contralateral flexion
Ligamentum Nuchae function
Thickening of supraspinous ligaments in cervical area
Adds support to head
ALL function
Limits overall extension
Limits excessive lordosis in cervical/lumbar regions
PLL functioni
Reinforces intervertebral disks
Limits excessive flexion
Capsular ligaments of spine
Surround each apophyseal joint
Sustains 1000 N
Limits all motion except extension
Typical cervical vertebrae
C3-C6
Atypical cervical vertebrae
C1C2
AA Joint motion
Rotation
“Typical” thoracic vertebrae
T2-T9
Describe thoracic vertebrae
Pedicles directed posteriorly
SPs slant downward
TPs sland posterior-laterally
Describe lumbar vertebrae
SPs- broad, rectangular, project horizontally
TPs- project laterally
Articular Facets- Oriented nearly vertical (Superior posterior-medial, Inferior anterior-lateral)
Function of sacrum
Transmits weight of vertebral column to pelvis
SP/TP function
Increase mechanical leverage of muscles/ligaments
Apophyseal joints AKA
Facet joints
Facet joint function
Guide intervertebral motion
Interbody joint function
Connect intervertebral disc with pair of vertebral bodies
Horizontal facets of apophyseal joints…
Factor axial rotation
Vertebral facet function
Block anterior translation and axial rotation
What is annulus fibrosis
Concentric layers of collagen fibers encasing the nucleus
Function of intervertebral discs
Protect interbody joints: absorbs/distributes loads
Protect apophyseal joints: minimize compressive loads
Provide stability at spine
Positions/activities of lowest interdiscal pressure
Laying supine = lowest
Also low; laying on side, sitting with incline (110?)
Positions/actions of highest interdiscal pressure
Highest = bending over with legs straight to lift object
Other high pressure: lifting with bent knees, holding object, bending over to reach object