Curvatures of the Column Flashcards
What embryonic event causes the direction of the posterior curve of the vertebral column?
The embryonic disc will undergo flexion in a cranial to caudal direction
Why is the posterior curve also called the primary curve?
It is the first curve to appear embryologically
What are the adult remnants of the primary curve along the vertebral column?
The thoracic or dorsal curve and the pelvic or sacrococcygeal curve
What are the names given to curves that form during development to reverse the direction of regions along the vertebral column?
Anterior curve, secondary curve, compensatory curve
What are the names of the anterior curves, secondary curves and compensatory curves?
Cervical curve and lumbar curve
What segmental levels form the cervical curve?
C2-T1
What segmental levels form the lumbar curve?
T12-L5
What is the earliest time of appearance of the cervical curve?
The 3rd fetal month
What is the traditional time of appearance of the cervical curve said to be?
During the last trimester in utero
What is the time during which the “adult” cervical curve is said to appear?
Within the first year after birth
What developmental events are indicated in the formation of the adult cervical curve?
1) Centers for vision and equilibrium will appear in the brain
2) Musculature attaching the skull, cervical region, and upper thorax together develops
3) The head is upright
4) The intervertebral disc heigh becomes greater anterior than posterior
At what age will the infant begin to hold the head erect?
Usually between the third and fourth month after birth
What is the name given to the integration of visual and motor pathways associated with holding the head erect?
The righting reflex
What is the location for the cervical kyphosis?
Between occiput and C1
What is the vertebral relationship between the cervical curve and the cervical enlargement?
Cervical curve C2-T1; cervical enlargement C3-T1
What is the time of appearance of the lumbar curve?
Between 12 and 18 months after birth
What infant activities are associated with the development of the lumbar curve?
Crawling and walking
What developmental events are indicated in the formation of the adult lumbar curve?
1) Crawling will cause the abdomen to put tension on the lumbar region and pulls it forward
2) Muscle development is promoted to compensate for the swayback of the lumbars
3) Intervertebral disc height will become greater anterior compared to posterior
4) Walking will further promote muscle and intervertebral disc development
Which sense is a requirement for holding the head erect, standing, sitting, and walking?
Vision
What is the gender bias associated with lumbar curve convexity?
Females have greater convexity of the lumbar curve
What is the vertebral relationship between the lumbar curve and the lumbar enlargement?
Lumbar curve T12-L5; Lumbar enlargement T9-T12
What is the formation of the lateral curve often correlated with?
Faster development of the muscles on the side of handedness
What is the time of appearance of the lateral curves?
They appear after 6 years old
Which lateral curves are best developed?
Thoracic or dorsal and lumbar
What is the relationship between curve direction and handedness?
A right-handed person has high probability for a right thoracic, left lumbar curve combination
What is the incidence of a right thoracic, left lumbar curve combination in the population?
About 80% of the population demonstrates this
What names are given to the conditions associated with abnormal curves of the vertebral column?
Lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis
What is the definition of lordosis?
A forward bending condition
What is the definition of kyphosis?
A humpback or hunchback condition
What is the definition of scoliosis?
A warped or crooked condition
What is the direction of the curve deviation in lordosis?
To the anterior
What is the direction of the curve deviation in kyphosis?
To the posterior
What clinical examples of abnormal curvatures along the vertebral column were stressed in class?
Military neck, humpback or hunchback, and swayback
What are the curve classifications for military neck?
A kyphosis or hypolordotic curve
What are the curve classifications for humpback or hunchback?
A kyphosis or hyperkyphotic curve
What are the curve classifications for swayback?
A lordosis of hyperlordotic curve
What is the more complete, accepted definition of scoliosis?
An abnormal lateral curve coupled with axial rotation
What are the classifications of scoliosis according to the Scoliosis Research Society?
Magnitude, location, direction, etiology, structural scoliosis and non-structural scoliosis
