Back and vertebral column Flashcards
What is the weight bearing function of the vertebral column performed by?
vertebral body
What is the shock absorption function performed by?
curvatures and intervertebral discs
Describe shape of spinal curvatures?
convex and concave- double s shape
thoracic and sacral kyphoses (convex)
cervical and lumbar lordoses (concave)
What is the condition where there is excessive thoracic kyphosis caused by ?
thoracic region becoming more convex e.g. osteroporosis
what is excessive lumbar lordosis caused by?
temporary change of curvature of lumbar region and due to increased weight e.g pregnancy
What is scoliosis caused by?
abnormal curvature in coronal plane, common during growth
Describe sacral and coccygeal vertebrae?
fused individual vertebrae and at the very bottom-coccygeal vertebrae
Describe shape in cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebra?
cervical- rectangular
thoracic- heart shape
lumbar vertebrae- oval
Describe spinous processes in cervical, thoracic and lumbar processes?
cervical- two processes sticking out. Has foramen transversarium that blood vessel goes through thoracic- long spinous process and downwards orientation
lumbar- spinous process that is short and thick
What are the intervertebral discs made up of?
Nucleus Pulposus- central core with high water content
Annulus Fibrosus- rings of fibrocartilage
Describe ‘ slipped disc ‘?
herniation of the disc - something squeezed out of disc and can compress structures typically behind the intervertebral disc
What does the spinal cord go through?
vertebral foramen
vertebral canal- all individual vertical foramen stacked
Where do spinal nerves go through to escape spinal cord?
intervertebral foramen
What are the coverings of the spinal cord?
dura matter- on outside , thick and tough
arachnoid matter- spider web like (flimsy)
pia matter- sits on surface of spinal cord
cerebrospinal fluid in subarachnoid space
What are the joints of the vertebral column?
intervertebral discs (symphysis/ secondary cartilaginous)
facet joints - between adjacent vertebra (synovial plane joints)
joints with ribs- (synovial plane)
skull and atlas(C1)-synovial ellipsoid
atlas and axis- pivot joint
Orientation of facet joints in different parts of spine?
cervical- more horizontal orientation
thoracic - vertical
lumbar- vertical but more sagittal than coronal orientation
Where do you find ligaments of the vertebral column?
anterior longitudinal ligament - front of vertebral bodies- prevent hyperextension
posterior longitudinal ligament- back of the vertebral column- prevent extreme flexion
interspinous- between spinous processes
supraspinous- running along tips of spinous processes
ligamentum flavum- connects laminae of vertebrae
Where do extrinsic back muscles attach to?
head
limbs
thorax
abdomen
What group of muscles is the erector spinae apart of?
intrinsic back muscles
function of erector spinae?
keep spine erect and act on spine
if both sides contract- extension of spine
one side contract- lateral flexion
Relationships of the spine?
muscles (extrinsic and intrinsic back muscles, anterior (flexing) and posterior (extension) muscles)
nerves and ganglia (paravertebral ganglia and prevertebral ganglia (in front) )
arteries and veins (aorta )
lymphatic structures (thoracic duct)
aging and pathological changes to vertebral column
Weakness of back muscles
-imbalanced loading of spine
-back pain
dehydration of intervertebral discs
- reduced shock absorption
osteoarthritis
-pain and stiffness of joints
osteoporosis
compression fractures altering curvature of spine
