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 curve, secondary curve, 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 to L5
What is the earliest time of appearance of the cervical curve?
the third 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?
- centers for vision and equilibrium will appear in the brain
- musculature attaching the skull, cervical region, and upper thorax together develops
- the head is held upright
- the intervertebral disc height 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 apex of the cervical curve?
typically between C4 and C5
What is the location for the cervical kyphosis?
between occiput and C1
What is the name given to the primary cervical curve?
cervical kyphosis
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 developmental of the lumbar curve?
crawling and walking
What developmental events are indicated in the formation of the adult lumbar curve?
- crawling will cause the abdomen to put tension on the lumbar region and pulls it forward
- muscle development is promoted to compensate for the swayback of the lumbars
- intervertebral disc height will become greater anterior compared to posterior
- 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 enlargment 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 dorsals, and lumbars
What is the relationship between curve direction and handedness?
a right-handed person has a 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 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 humpback, and swayback
What are the curve classification for military neck?
a kyphosis or hyperkyphotic curve
What are the curve classification for swayback?
a lordosis or hyperlordotic curvve
What is more complete, accepted definition of scoliosis?
an abnormal lateral curve with axial rotation
What is the radiological test for skeletal maturity?
the Risser sign, an indication of bone maturity on the iliac apophysis
What does the magnitude of scoliosis refer to?
the length and angle of the curve deviation on x-ray
What are the classifications of scoliosis according to the Scoliosis Research society?
magnitude, location, direction, etiology, structural scoliosis and non-structural scoliosis
What is often used to measure the magnitude of scoliosis?
the Cobb method
What does the location of scoliosis infer?
The location on the vertebral segment forming the apex of the curve deviation
What does the direction of scoliosis refer to?
the side the convexity of the curve will bend toeard
What does etiology of scoliosis mean?
the cause of scoliosis
What is structural scoliosis?
a more radical form of scoliosis. it may worsen, associated with structural deformities of the vertebra or intervertebral disc, frequently has a fixed angel of trunk rotation
What is nonstructural scoliosis?
a mild form of scoliosis, unlikely to worsen, not associated with structural deformities of the vertebra or intervertebral disc and lack a fixed angle of trunk rotation
What are some of the classification of scoliosis based on etiology?
congenital, neuromuscular, neurofibromatosis, nerve root irritation, idiopathic
What is the classification of scoliosis that is unique to the individual patient?
idiopathic scoliosis
What does idiopathic scoliosis infer?
the scoliosis is unique to the individual, it has no known cause, unknown ettiology
What is the incidence of idiopathic scoliosis in the population?
1% to 4% of the population
Based on age onset, what are the types of idiopathic scoliosis?
,infantile, juvenile, and adoslescent
What is the age range for infantile idiopathic scoliosis?
from birth to 3 years old
What is the age range for juvenile idiopathic scoliosis?
from 3 years old to 10 years old
What is the age range for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
over 10 years old
Identify the curve direction, location, gender bias and incidence of infantile idiopathic scoliosis.
left thoracic, male, less than 15 incidence
Identify the curve direction, location, gender bias and incidence of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis
right thoracic, females over 6 years old, and 12%-21% incidence
Identify the curve direction, location, gender bias and incidence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
right thoracic or right thoracic and left lumbar, females, and 80% incidence
What is the genetic factor associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
an autosomal dominant factor that runs in families
What is the relationship between curve deviation, incidence, and curve worsening?
the greater the deviation, the lower the incidence, and the more likely to worsen
