Chapter 9- Spine

Question 1

What are the 5 regions of the spine (top to bottom)? And how many are in each?

Answer 1

Cervical- 7
Thoracic- 12
Lumbar- 5
Sacral- 5
Coccygeal- 4

Question 2

Expand on the CERVICAL region of the spine. What does it include?

Answer 2

Includes a bifid (split) SP and a transverse process foramen.
Atlas (C1): no vertebral body
Axis (C2)
Dens (Odontoid Process)
C7: very long SP; easily palpated

Question 3

Expand on the THORACIC region of the spine. What does it include?

Answer 3

Longer and more vertically inclined SP
Costal Facets: joins 12 pairs of ribs to thoracic vertebrae
Includes SP, NO transverse foramen, body is a small semi-circular shape

Question 4

Expand on the LUMBAR region of the spine. What does it include?

Answer 4

Largest of vertebrae
NO transverse foramen
NO costal facets
NO joint to ribs
Includes SP, body is large circular shape

Question 5

Expand on the SACRAL region of the spine. What does it include?

Answer 5

Separated at birth, fuses to form the SACRUM (triangle shaped)

Question 6

Expand on the COCCYGEAL region of the spine. What does it include?

Answer 6

Separated at birth, fuses to form the COCCYX (tailbone)

Question 7

All vertebrae have… (9)

Answer 7

1. Vertebrae body: exception of C1
2. Two Transverse Processes (TP): lateral bony projections; source of ligamentous and muscular attachment
3. Spinous Process (SP): posterior bony process; source of ligamentous and muscular attachment
4. Vertebral Foramen (VF): where the spinal cord and nerve roots pass through
5. Articulating Facets (superior and inferior): where the vertebra articulates with the vertebra above and below
6. Lamina: forms posterior portion of VF
7. Pedicles: forms the lateral sides of VF
8. Intervertebral Foramen (IVF): located between each vertebrae; allows nerve branches to pass through
9. Pars Interarticularis: bony area between superior and anterior articulating facets

Question 8

Joints that connect vertebrae (2)

Answer 8

Intervertebral Symphysis (Anterior)
Two gliding diarthrodial facets (Posterior)

Question 9

Function of facet joints (2)

Answer 9

Channel and Limit ROM
Assist in load bearing activities (up to 30% of compressive loads)

Question 10

Intervertebral Discs (IVD)
-Made of what?
-Purpose?
-Where?
-Center and Surrounding
-How much we lose?

Answer 10

-Are fibrocartilaginous (protein and water)
-Spacer and cushion
-Between each pair of vertebrae (exception: C1, skull, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae)
-Center is the NUCLEUS PULPOSUS; Surrounding is the ANNULUS FIBROSUS
-We lose 2 cm per day

Question 11

Primary and Secondary Spinal Curves

Answer 11

Primary: Thoracic and Sacral (concave anteriorly, born with)
Secondary: Lumbar and Cervical (concave posteriorly; develop when sitting/standing)

Question 12

Exaggerated Spinal Curves

Answer 12

Lordosis: lumbar curve
Kyphosis: thoracic curve
Scoliosis: lateral curve

Question 13

Movement of the Spine are what (3)?

Answer 13

Ball & Socket
All 3 Planes
Circumduction

Question 14

What forces commonly act on the spine?

Answer 14

-Body Weight
-Tension in Spinal Ligaments & Muscles
-External Loads Carried in Hands

Question 15

Spinal Curvature Cause

Answer 15

Changes in the body’s center of gravity (pregnancy, weight gain)

Question 16

Why a curved spine?

Answer 16

-Body can support 10X more weight compared to a straight spine (can increase resistance to axial compression)
-Contact forces are largest at L5-S1

Question 17

Vertebrae Stress Fractures (4)

Answer 17

-Spondylosis (due to aging)- separation or fracture of the pars interarticularis
-Osteoarthritis
-Spondylolisthesis- slipped vertebra
-Disk Hernia- slipped disc

Question 18

What is the #1 cause of lost work days in America

Answer 18

Back pain