Back Movements

Question 1

Flexion: Cervical

Answer 1

Bilateral Action of Longus colli, scalene, SCM

Limiting Structures: ligaments, posterior atlanto-axial, posterior longitudinal, flavum, tectorial membrane, posterior neck muscles, and anulus fibrosus (tension posteriorly)

Question 2

Extension: Cervical

Answer 2

Bilateral Action of Deep Back Muscles: semispinalis cervicis, iliocostals cervicis, splenius cervicis, levator scapulae, splenius capitis, multifidus, longissimus capitis, semispinalis capitis, and trapezius

Ligaments: anterior longitudinal, anterior atlanto-axial

Anterior neck muscles, anulus fibrosus, spinous processes

Question 3

Lateral Bending: Cervical

Answer 3

Unilateral Action: ilicostalis cervicis, longissimus capitis and cervicis, splenius capitis and cervicis, and intertransversarii and scalenes

Ligaments: alar ligament tension limits movement to contralateral side

Anulus fibrosus and ZP joints

Question 4

Rotation: Cervical

Answer 4

Ipsilateral Action: rotatores, semispinalis capitis and cervicis, multifidus, splenius cervicis

Contralateral Action: SCM

Ligaments: alar ligament tension limits movement to ipsilateral side

Anulus fibrosus

Question 5

Flexion: Thoracic and Lumbar

Answer 5

Bilateral Action: rectus abdominis, psoas major, and gravity

Ligaments: supraspinous, interspinous, and flavum

Capsules of ZP joints, extensor muscles, vertebral bodies, IV disc, and anulus fibrosus

Question 6

Extension: Thoracic and Lumbar

Answer 6

Bilateral Action: erector spinae, multifidus, semispinalis thoracis

Ligaments: anterior longitudinal

Capsules of ZP joints, abdominal muscles, spinous processes, anulus fibrosus, and IV discs

Question 7

Lateral Bending: Thoracic and Lumbar

Answer 7

Unilateral Action: iliocostalis thoracis and lumborum, longissimus thoracis, multifidus, external and internal oblique, quadratus lumborum, rhomboids, and serratus anterior

Ligaments: contralateral side

Contralateral muscles that laterally bend trunk, contact between iliac crest ad thorax, anulus fibrosus, and IC disc

Question 8

Rotation: Thoracic and Lumbar

Answer 8

Unilateral Action: rotatores, multifidus, iliocostalis, longissimus, external oblique, splenius thoracis

Ligaments: costovertebral

Ipsilateral external oblique, contralateral internal oblique, articular facets, and anulus fibrosus