Cervical and Lumbar Spine Flashcards
How many articulations does a cervical vertebrate have?
5
- Two Z joints
- Two uncinate joints
- 1 disc
What is the closed and resting position of the zygapophyseal joints (articular facets)?
closed: full extension
resting: slight flexion
What is the pattern of restriction of the cervical joints?
side flexion, extension
What two components make up intervertebral discs?
Annulus fibrosis (outer ring) Nucleus pulposis (inner ring)
Which area intervertebral discs is avascular?
NP contains no blood or nerve supply
Explain the arthrokinematics of the Alanto-occipital joint.
Occiput = convex
Atlas = concave
Flexion anterior roll and posterior slide
Extension posterior roll, slide anterior
Explain the arthrokinematics of the Alanto-axial joint.
Atlas = concave Axis = convex with concave properties due to cartilage
Rotation is the primary movement “No”
What cervical ligament prevents damage to the spinal cord during movement?
Transverse
- prevents anterior displacement of the atlas on the axis
What does the vertebral artery branch off into?
basilar artery
What are the signs of spinal cord problems?
hyperreflexia, clonus, +VE Babinski, ataxic gait, +VE sharp-purser
What is a cervical myelopathy?
narrowing of cervical spinal cord
What is the structural difference between the lumbar and cervical vertebrae?
The lumbar spine does not contain a transverse foramen or unicate joints.
Both vertebrae don’t articulate with the ribs
Nucleus Pulposis
the inner part of the intervertebral disc
- absorbs water to help shock absorption and provides nutrients
Annulus fibrosis
the outer part of the intervertebral disc
- concentric laminar fibers support stability and shock absorption
- helps prevent disc bulging
List the primary functions of the lumbar spine
transmit load to the pelvis
- stabilize during weight-bearing activities
- bending and reaching mobility
Describe the arthrokinematics of the lumbar spine
Anterior Tilt
-Anterior slide + conjunct upward slide of the inferior facet
Posterior Tilt
-Posterior slide + conjunct downward slide of the inferior facet
Right Tilt > airplane wing drops right (inferior and superior)
What are the four types of disc pathologies?
o Bulge, nucleus breaks but doesn’t not break outer later
o Prolapse, bulge with outer later intact > almost broken
o Extrusion, bulge extrudes outside of the annular fibers
o Sequestrian, annular fibers disrupted and nucleus bulges onto spinal cord
What are the referred pain sources of the lumbar region?
o Pancreatic tumor (Gallbaldder) o Ankylosing spondylitis (spinal inflammation) o Scheuermann’s disease o Mechanical pain (less with rest) o Disc pain (sustained postured) o Prostate/ovarian cancer
What is the purpose of the uncinate joints?
They allow for flexion and extension and limit lateral flexion in the cervical spine.
- reinforce the IV disc posteriorly and prevent lateral translation of discs
