Back, Spine and Spinal Cord Flashcards
What can be palpated/ seen on the back?
T1 spinous process Spine of scapula Iliac crests Thoracic and lumbar spinous processes PSIS Posterior sacrum and coccyx
What are the extrinsic back muscles? and their function?
Trapezius
Latissimus dorsi
Levator scapulae
Major and minor rhomboids
Move upper limb
What are the intrinsic back muscles? and their function?
Erector spinae (superficial) Transversesospinalis (deep)
Maintain posture
Where does the erector spinae insert and attach?
Inferior - common tendon to sacrum and iliac crest
Superior - rib, transverse vertebrae, spinous process of vertebrae
What are the movements of the spine? and which muscles perform these movements?
Extension - intrinsic back muscles
Flexion - psoas major and rectus abdominis
Maintain posture - intrinsic back muscles remain tonically active
What is the nerve supply to the back muscles?
Posterior rami branches - cervical, thoracic, lumbar
What are the facet joints of the spinse?
Between artiular processes of adjacent vertebrae (look at a picture of this)
What are the intervertebral discs of the spine?
Between bodies of adjacent vertebrae - except C1 and C2
Can herniate
What is the outer and inner parts of intervertebral disc?
Outer - annulus fibrosis (strong)
Inner - nucleus pulposus (flexible and soft)
Why do intevertebral discs tend to herniate posteriorly?
Because the annulus fibrosis is thin posteriorly
What are the 5 ligaments of the spine?
Ligamentum flavum - connect laminae posterior to spinal cord
Posterior longitudinal ligament - attaches to posterior aspects of all vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs
Anterior longitudinal ligament - attach to anterior anspects
Supraspinous ligament - connects tips of spinous processes
Interspinous ligament - connect superior and inferior surfaces of adjacent spinous processes
What is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Prevents spine over-extension
What goes through the transverse foramen of vertebrae?
Vertebral arteries, veins and sympathetic nerves
What type of joint is the atlanto-occipital joint?
Synovial joint
