Back, neck and trunk movement Flashcards
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7 (C1-7)
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
12 (T1-12)
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
5 (L1-5)
How many sacral vertebrae are there?
5 (fused, S1-5)
How many coccygeal vertebrae are there?
4 (fused)
How many curvatures of the spine are there and what are they?
four - Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar and Sacral
What is the primary curve of the spine?
Kyphosis (thoracic)
What is the secondary curve of the spine?
Lordosis (Lumbar)
What are the 2 joints of the vertebral column?
Cartilaginous joints and synovial joints
Which is the most flexible region of the spine?
Cervical and lumbar
Which is the least flexible region of the spine?
Thoracic
What are the 2 parts of a vertebral disc?
- Nucleus pulposus
2. Annulus fibrosus
What are the 2 functions of the neck muscles?
- Hold head upright on trunk
2. Position head to allow eyes to focus
What 5 muscles move the head and neck?
- Trapezius
- Erector spinae
- Splenius
- Sternocleidomatoid
- Scalenes
What are the 2 functions of the trunk muscles?
- Support the head
2. provide base for movement of the limbs
What are the 2 muscle groups that move the trunk?
- Erector spinae
2. Abdominals
What is lumbopelvic rhythm?
the relationship between the lumbar spine and hip joints during sagittal plane movements
What are the 3 phases of lumbopelvic rhythm during trunk extension?
- early (extension of hips)
- middle (extension of lumbar spine)
- completion (upright position)
What are the 5 mechanisms of loading?
- Bending
- Compression
- Torque
- Shear
- Tension
What is compression?
force acting through the long axis of the spine at right angles to the discs (gravity, ligaments and muscle contractions)
What can high compression loading cause?
end plate fractures and disc rupture
What is tension?
Stretching, facet joints and disc outer resist forces
Does bending cause compression or tension
Causes both compression and tension
What happens in flexion during bending?
Anterior structures - compression
Posterior structures - tension
What happens in extension during bending?
Anterior structures - tension
Posterior structures - unloaded or compression
What happens in lateral flexion during bending?
Ipsilateral side - compression
Contralateral side - tension
What is torque?
Axial rotation
What is shear?
Causes vertebrae to undergo translation
Name 3 common pathologies of the back and neck
- intervertebral discs decrease in height and elasticity
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Spinal deformity
- Lower back pain
