Back Flashcards
What is the vertebrae used for?
locomotion
body weight support
protecting ad transmitting spinal cord and nerves
How many vertebrae are there?
33
Where is primary curvature seen?
thoracic and sacral regions
Where is secondary curvature seen?
cervical and lumbar regions
What is the movement of the cervical vertebrae?
flexion greatest
What is different about the C7 spine?
it is not bifid
What is the movement of the thoracic vertebrae?
rotation greatest
What is the movement of the lumbar vertebrae?
extension greatest
- no rotation
What are the movements of the atlanto-occipital joint?
flexion and extension of the head
What is the movement of the atlanto-axial joint?
rotation of the head
What binds the vertebral bodies together?
intervertebral discs
What are the intervertebral discs made up of?
nucleus pulposus
annulus fibrosus
Why are most disc herniations posterolateral?
the central position of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Where does the L4 nerve emerge and what does this mean?
above the disc meaning a prolapsed L4 disc is likely to compress the L5 nerves
How are the position of the ligaments described?
the posterior ligament is anterior to the spinal cord and posterior to the vertebral bodies
What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
resists hyper-flexion
What is the function of the amterior longitudinal ligament?
limits extension
What is the function of the ligamenta flava?
limits sudden flexion and supports the curvatures
What is the ligamenta flava?
thick, broad band attached to vertebral bodies and discs
What is the supraspinous ligament?
thick cords between tips of spines
What is the interspinous ligament?
thin membrane between all spines
What is the function of the ligamentum nuchae in the cervical region?
- limits flexion
- provides muscle attachment
What is the significance of the venous plexuses?
they facilitate tumour spread
What are the superficial muscles that are mainly for upper limb movement?
levator scapulae
rhomboid minor and major
trapezius
latissimus dorsi
What is the function of the intrinsic muscles of the back?
keep the vertebral column upright and in extension against gravity
What are the superficial group of intrinsic muscles?
splenius capitis
splenius cervicis
What are the intermediate group of intrinsic muscles?
iliocostalis
longissimus
spinalis
What are the deepest layer of intrinsic muscles?
transversospinalis
