Cervical Spine Concepts

Question 1

In the upper cervical spine the A-O joint is con___ on con___

Answer 1

convex on concave

Question 2

In the upper cervical spine the A-A joint is at a

Answer 2

20* orientation to the horizontal plane

Question 3

The mid-lower cervical plane is made up of C_-C_.
C7 is a ___________ segment.
The orientation is ___ to the horizontal and frontal planes.

Answer 3

C3-C7
transitional
45*

Question 4

Name 2 interbody joints

Answer 4

C2/3

L5/S1

Question 5

Interbody joints are considered ________ joints.

Answer 5

synarthrodial

Question 6

Name two characteristics of interbody synarthdrodial joints.

Answer 6

1) cartilaginous

2) permit slight to no amount of movement

Question 7

Each interbody joint contains what 3 components?

Answer 7

1) intervertebral disc
2) vertebral endplates
3) adjacent vertebral bodies

Question 8

What is the function of the interbody joint?

Answer 8

optimized the function of the spine.

Question 9

What is the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 9

inner component pulp-like gel shock absorption distribution of forces

Question 10

What is the annulus fibrosus?

Answer 10

Concentric rings of fibrocartilage tissue (helps w/ distribution of forces)

Question 11

What is the vertebral endplate?

Answer 11

Cartilaginous caps made of connective tissue cover the superior and inferior surfaces of the vertebral bodies.

Question 12

True or false: the facet surfaces of C2 and C7; allow for motion in only 2 planes?

Answer 12

False: The facet surfaces of C2-C7 allow for motion in all 3 planes.

Question 13

The facet surfaces of C2-C7; are oriented at a ___ angle between the horizontal and frontal planes.

Answer 13

45*

Question 14

The facet surfaces of C2-C7 can be compared to what common-place structure?

Answer 14

shingles on a roof

Question 15

Along with the facet joints, what other structures guide vertebral motion?

Answer 15

Muscles, ligaments, gravity and deterioration of the TPs and SPs.

Question 16

What position at the AO joint creates a posterior glide occipital condyles?

Answer 16

flexion

Question 17

What position would you place the AO joint in to create a maximal anterior glide of the left occipital condyle?

Answer 17

Extension w/ left lat. flexion & coupled right rotation

Question 18

What 2 positions could you place the AO joint in to test maximal posterior glide of the left occipital condyle?

Answer 18

1) flexion w/ right lat flexion & coupled left rotation

2) flexion w/ left rotation & right lat flex.

Question 19

What 2 positions could you place the AO joint in to test maximal anterior glide of the right occipital condyle?

Answer 19

1) extension w/ right lat flexion & coupled left rotation
2) extension w/ left rotation & coupled right lat flex.

Question 20

What are 5 deep posterior muscles supporting the cervical spine?

Answer 20

1) multifidus
2) semispinalis cerivicis
3) semispinalis capitis
4) splenius capitis
5) upper trapezius

Question 21

What are 4 deep anterior muscles supporting the cervical spine?

Answer 21

1) longus capitis
2) longus colli
3) scalenes
4) sternocleidomastoid

Question 22

The cervical deep muscles are local __________________?

Answer 22

stabilizers of the spine

Question 23

The cervical deep muscles attach __________________?

Answer 23

directly to the vertebrae

Question 24

The cervical deep muscles control ___________ and ________________.

Answer 24

intersegmental motion (stiffens) AND the position of the vertebrae

Question 25

What is the purpose of the cranial cervical flexor test?

Answer 25

assess strength of the deep cervical muscluarture

Question 26

What is the equipment used for cranial cervical flexor test?

Answer 26

stabilizer unit

Question 27

What is the procedure of the cranial cervical flexor test?

Answer 27

ask pt to not head on neck.
Avoid retraction and isolate movement to upper cervical spine.
Avoid activation of SCM

Question 28

During the cranial cervical flexor test, start at __ mmHg.

Answer 28

20mmHg

Question 29

During the cranial cervical flexor test normal ranges from _____________ of pressure for 10 sec w/o compensations

Answer 29

28mmHg to 30mmHg

Question 30

For the cranial cervical flexor test neck pain and CGH are indicated with _____?

Question 31

What is the purpose of the deep neck flexor muscle test?

Answer 31

to assess strength of deep cervical neck flexors.

Question 32

For the deep neck flexor muscle test normal is :_____ and neck pain is : ________

Answer 32

normal: >38 seconds

neck pain :

Question 33

For the cranial cervical flexor test intratester ICC is _____ and intertester ICC is _____

Answer 33

intratester ICC = 0.98

intertester ICC = 0.91

Question 34

For the deep neck flexor muscle test intratester ICC is _____ and intertester ICC is _____

Answer 34

intratester ICC = 0.82-0.91

intertester ICC = 0.67-0.78

Question 35

The superficial muscles of the cervical spine are ______ muscles.

Answer 35

global

Question 36

The superficial muscles of the cervical spine are _________ torque producing muscles

Answer 36

larger

Question 37

The superficial muscles of the cervical spine _________ and ___________ external loads during movements.

Answer 37

transfer and balance

Question 38

What is the median pressure achieved in individuals w/o and w/ neck pain using the cranial cervical flexion test?

Answer 38

median pressure achieved = 28 mmHg w/o pain

median pressure achieved = 24 mmHg w pain

Question 39

What are 5 effects of aging on the cervical spine?

Answer 39

1) recurrent loads over time change morphology
2) vertebral bone changes
3) vertebral disc changes
4) osteophyes
5) long term effects from disease (RA)

Question 40

Name 2 consequences of vertebral bone changes:

Answer 40

1) reduction in trabeculae (strength)

2) challenges system to withstand loads

Question 41

Name 2 consequences of vertebral disc changes:

Answer 41

1) loss of proteoglycans –> reduced water content

2) loss of elastin

Question 42

What factors did Euro Spine investigate that could potentially influence aging of the spine (changes that were found in MRI related to biological aging)?

Answer 42

Intervertebral discs, ligaments, spinal canal, spinal alignment (slippage), vertebral body, and presence/absence stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal).