Back And Spine Flashcards
How many vertebrae do we have?
33
Why is the back important for muscles?
It’s the attachments site for various muscles including head, thorax, limbs and hips
Why are the 2 types of back muscles?
Intrinsic and extrinsic
What are extrinsic muscles?
Upper limb movement and respiration (serratus muscles)
What are intrinsic group of muscles?
Superficial intermediate and deep layers
Needed for posture (erect orspinae)
What are bilateral muscles?
Muscles on both sides of our body based on the midline
What muscle type do flexion or extension in the back?
Bilateral
What do unilateral back muscles do?
Rotation
What muscles are anterior to the spine?
- Rectus abdomens
- psoas Major
What muscles are responsible for extension at the back?
Erector spinae
What is responsible for rotation in the back muscles?
Muscles with oblique fibres
What muscles are needed for lateral flexion?
Erector spinae
External and internal oblique
Describe the structure of the erector spinae?
It is a long back muscle which split up into 3 muscles
It’s the chief extensor (bilaterally)
And it rotates (unilaterally)
How does ageing affect the vertebral column?
-dehydration of nucleus purpulous as re absorption isn’t good enough
- the elastic fibres in the intervertebral discs decreased hence shock absorption is reduced
Why do old people have difficulty bending?
The intervertebral discs are too close with each other due to lack of water
How does the bone change with age?
Develops bony spurs around vertebrae
What is osteoporosis?
The thickness of spongy bone in the vertebrae reduces mainly due to the decrease of calcium reabsorption.
Its common after menopause
What is the lumbosacral angle?
Angle formed between the sacral vertebral region and the lumbar vertebral region
Can cause back pain if in abnormal regions
Why is there only significant movement the superior 25 vertebrae?
Because the sacrum and coccyx is fused
Why do sacral vertebrates have smaller bodies?
Because the weight is placed on the pelvic girdle
What is lordosis?
-secondary
- cervical and lumbar
- concave
What is kyphosis?
- Primary
-thoracic and sacral - convex
Which curvature is more pronounced in women and why?
Lumbar curvature
Which curvature is less prominent in women?
The sacral curvature is reduced so the coccyx protrudes less into the birth canal
What does a typical vertebrae have?
Vertebral body
Vertebral arch
7 processes
What makes the intervertebral foramen?
The superior and inferior vertebral notches
What is the shape of the thoracic vertebrae body ?
Heart shaped body
What are the 7 processes?
One spinous process
2 transverse processes
2 Inferior articular processes
2 superior articular processes
What do the articular processes do?
Allow for vertebral movement using facet joints
What do the other processes do?
Act as insertions and attachments for back muscles
Which vertebrae has what special spinous process?
The cervical one have a bifid spinous process
Describe the vertebral foramen of cervical vertebrae
Large and triangular
What is C7 called?
Vertebra prominens
Which cervical vertebrae have a bifid process?
C3 to C5
What extra foramen distinguishes cervical vertebrae from others?
Foramen transversarium
What are 3 distinct characteristics of atlas ?
Superior articular facets are concave to hold the skull
No spinous process
Overall ring shape
What is the distinct feature of the axis?
The dens at the anterior of the vertebrae
How do the body of cervical, vertebrae look?
Like a rectangle. Long not wide
How does the thoracic vertebrae differ?
It has a long spinous process
The articular process goes vertically sharply
Round vertebral foramen
What are distinguishable characteristics of the lumbar vertebrae?
Short, broad and sturdy spinous process
Long slender transverse process
Why is there hyaline around our vertebral body?
It’s from the remains of the cartilaginous model
What shape is vertebral foramen in the thoracic level?
Circular
How does the sacrum provide stability ?
Transmits the body weight onto the pelvic girdle
What is the sacral promontory?
The edge of the body of the sacrum (anterior)
What is median sacral crest
Fused spinous process
What are intermediate sacral crests ?
Fused articular processses
What are lateral sacral crests.
Fused transverse processes
Where is dislocation of the vertebrae uncommon?
Thoracic and lumbar
What is osteoporosis?
Net demineralisation of bones due to issue with calcium reabsorption and deposition.
Osteoporosis affects mainly spongy bone. True or False
True. It makes cortical bone look more apparent
Who most commonly has osteoporosis?
Post menopausal women
What and where are the important vertebrae levels we need to know?
C7 - lower neck
T3 - spine of scapula
T7 - inferior angle of scapula
L4 - iliac crest