Back, neck and trunk movement

Question 1

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

Answer 1

7 (C1-7)

Question 2

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

Answer 2

12 (T1-12)

Question 3

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

Answer 3

5 (L1-5)

Question 4

How many sacral vertebrae are there?

Answer 4

5 (fused, S1-5)

Question 5

How many coccygeal vertebrae are there?

Answer 5

4 (fused)

Question 6

How many curvatures of the spine are there and what are they?

Answer 6

four - Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar and Sacral

Question 7

What is the primary curve of the spine?

Answer 7

Kyphosis (thoracic)

Question 8

What is the secondary curve of the spine?

Answer 8

Lordosis (Lumbar)

Question 9

What are the 2 joints of the vertebral column?

Answer 9

Cartilaginous joints and synovial joints

Question 10

Which is the most flexible region of the spine?

Answer 10

Cervical and lumbar

Question 11

Which is the least flexible region of the spine?

Answer 11

Thoracic

Question 12

What are the 2 parts of a vertebral disc?

Answer 12

1. Nucleus pulposus

2. Annulus fibrosus

Question 13

What are the 2 functions of the neck muscles?

Answer 13

1. Hold head upright on trunk

2. Position head to allow eyes to focus

Question 14

What 5 muscles move the head and neck?

Answer 14

1. Trapezius
2. Erector spinae
3. Splenius
4. Sternocleidomatoid
5. Scalenes

Question 15

What are the 2 functions of the trunk muscles?

Answer 15

1. Support the head

2. provide base for movement of the limbs

Question 16

What are the 2 muscle groups that move the trunk?

Answer 16

1. Erector spinae

2. Abdominals

Question 17

What is lumbopelvic rhythm?

Answer 17

the relationship between the lumbar spine and hip joints during sagittal plane movements

Question 18

What are the 3 phases of lumbopelvic rhythm during trunk extension?

Answer 18

1. early (extension of hips)
2. middle (extension of lumbar spine)
3. completion (upright position)

Question 19

What are the 5 mechanisms of loading?

Answer 19

1. Bending
2. Compression
3. Torque
4. Shear
5. Tension

Question 20

What is compression?

Answer 20

force acting through the long axis of the spine at right angles to the discs (gravity, ligaments and muscle contractions)

Question 21

What can high compression loading cause?

Answer 21

end plate fractures and disc rupture

Question 22

What is tension?

Answer 22

Stretching, facet joints and disc outer resist forces

Question 23

Does bending cause compression or tension

Answer 23

Causes both compression and tension

Question 24

What happens in flexion during bending?

Answer 24

Anterior structures - compression

Posterior structures - tension

Question 25

What happens in extension during bending?

Answer 25

Anterior structures - tension

Posterior structures - unloaded or compression

Question 26

What happens in lateral flexion during bending?

Answer 26

Ipsilateral side - compression

Contralateral side - tension

Question 27

What is torque?

Answer 27

Axial rotation

Question 28

What is shear?

Answer 28

Causes vertebrae to undergo translation

Question 29

Name 3 common pathologies of the back and neck

Answer 29

1. intervertebral discs decrease in height and elasticity
2. Degenerative disc disease
3. Herniated discs
4. Spinal deformity
5. Lower back pain