Back Flashcards
What are the main structures of a typical vertebra
Vertebral body, pedicle, vertebral canal, laminae, transverse processes, spinous process
How many vertebrae are there?
33 vertebrae:
7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused), 4 Coccygeal (fused)
Superficial back
Posterior part of the trunk, inferior to the neck and superior to the gluteal region. Forms axis of body. Vertebral column and supporting muscles, spinal cord and associated tissues
Synovial (diarthroidal) joint
Between superior and inferior articulating processes that allow for movement
Cartilaginous joints
Pliable material between vertebral bodies
Intervertebral discs
Made of cartilage, cushions between bodies, Ligaments in front and behind
Annulus fibrosus
Outer portion of intervertebral disc
Nucleus pulposus
Inner portion of intervertebral disc, often herniates, will tear and compress nerve
Radiculopathy
Compressing a nerve
Cranio-vertebral joints
Atlanto-occipital joint Atlanto-axial joint Atlas: C1 Axis: C2 Occiptal: part of skull
Atlanto-occiptal joints
Highest joints that join to skull, lay between C1 and Occipital condyles, nodding head
Atlanto-axial joint
Between C1 and C2, shaking head side to side
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
Checks EXTENSION of the vertebral column, continues superiorly as the anterior atlanto-axial ligament and then anterior atlanto-occiptal ligament
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Checks FLEXION of the vertebral column, thinner, herniation at the back, continues superiorly as the tectorial ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Connect adjacent laminae, checks FLEXION of the vertebral column, From Occipital bone to C1: posterior atlanto-occiptal ligament. From C1 to C2: posterior atlanto-axial ligament
Interspinous Ligaments
Checks FLEXION, connects transverse processes
Supraspinous ligaments
Connects tips of adjacent spinous processes (ligamentum nuchae at cervical levels), Check FLEXION
Lumbar puncture
Skin—>supraspinous ligament—>interspinous ligament—>ligamentum flavum—>dura mater—>subarachnoid space (Where CSF is)
Extrinsic back muscles
Muscle part is in one place, but action is elsewhere
- Trapezius
- Latissimus Dorsi
- Levator scapulae
- Rhomboid major and minor
Intermediate Group
Assists in holding the deep back muscles in place and are accessory muscles of respiration
-Serratus posterior superior and inferior
Trapezius
Proximal: Superior nuchal line, external occipital protruberance, nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7-T12
Distal: Clavicle acromion, scapular spine
-Elevate shoulder blades, retract and depress scapula
-Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve)
-Transverse cervical artery
Latissimus dorsi
Proximal: Spinous processes T7-T12, thoracolumbar fasica, iliac crest
Distal: Floor of intertuburcular sulcus of humerus
Actions: Extension, adduction, medial/internal rotation of humerus; lifts body toward arm in climbing
Innervation and blood supply: by thoracodorsal nerve and artery
Levator scapulae
Proximal: transverse processes, C1-C4
Distal: Superior angle of scapula
innervation: Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
Blood: Dorsal scapular artery
Rhomboid major and minor
Proximal: Minor: nuchal ligament, spinous processes of C7, T1
Major: spinous processes of T2-T5
Distal: Medial border of scapula (minor superior to scapular spine, major below scapular spine)
Serratus posterior superior
Actions: Elevation of ribs
Serratus posterior inferior
Actions: Depression of ribs
Triangle of auscultation
Allows lung sounds to be heard clearly because no muscle intervenes between skin and rib cage
Lumbar triangle of petit
Site for hernias of retroperitoneal contents through posterior abdominal wall
Deep back muscles
Maintain posture and control movements of the vertebral column, deep to the investing fascia of cervical regions (nuchal fascia/ligaments)
Spinotransverse Muscles
Splenius capitals (skull) and cervicus (neck), looks like bandage Actions: lateral flexion of neck and rotation of head
Erector spinae
Erect the spine. Originates in common muscle mass near the hipbone. 3 columns, Iliocostalis- Most lateral Longissimus- Intermediate (very long) Spinalis- Most medial (I LIKE SPAGHETTI) Actions: Unilateral lateral flexion Bilateral yields extension
Transverso-spinal
Start at transverse process and angle in towards spinous processes
Semispinalis- Spans 4-6 vertebrae before inserting distally
Multifidus- Spans 2-4 vertebrae before inserting distally
Rotators- Span 1-2 vertebrae before inserting distally
Semispinalis
Semispinalis capitus- attaches to skull
Semispinalis cervicus- Attaches to the neck
Actions: Extension of vertebral column and head
Greater occipital nerves
Pierce through semispinalis capitus and supply sensory information to back of head
Multifidus
Spans 2-4 vertebrae, thickest in lumbar region (strained lower back)
Actions: stabilize vertebrae
Rotators
1-2 vertebrae, deepest and on vertebrae. Best in thoracic region
Actions: help rotate column
Intrinsic deep back muscles
Innervated by dorsal (posterior) rami of spinal nerves
Extrinsic deep back muscles
Innervated by ventral (anterior) rami of spinal nerves (EXCEPT Trapezius CN XI)
Suboccipital Triangle
Vertebral artery runs through and supplies brain with blood. Lies deep to trapezius and semispinalis capitus,
Boundaries: rectus capitus posterior major, obliquus capitus superior and inferior
Floor of triangle: arch of C1 vertebra and posterior atlanto-opccipital membrane
