Curvatures of the Column: Normal Curvatures

Question 1

What embryonic event causes the direction of the posterior curve of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

the embryonic disc will undergo flexion in a cranial to caudal direction

Question 2

Why is the posterior curve also called the primary curve?

Answer 2

it is the first curve to appear embryologicaly

Question 3

What are the adult remnants of the promary curve along the vertebral column?

Answer 3

the thoracic and dorsal curve and the pelvic or sacrococcygeal curve

Question 4

What are the names given to curves that form during development to reverse the direction of regions along the vertebral column?

Answer 4

anterior curve, secondary curve, compensatory curve

Question 5

What are the names of the anterior curves, secondary curves, and compensatory curves?

Answer 5

cervical curve and lumbar curve

Question 6

What segmental levels form the cervical curve?

Answer 6

C2-T1

Question 7

What segmental levels form the lumbar curve?

Answer 7

T12-L5

Question 8

What is the earliest time of appearance of the cervical curve?

Answer 8

the third fetal month

Question 9

What is the traditional time of appearannce of the cervical curve said to be?

Answer 9

during the last trimester in utero

Question 10

What is the time during which the “adult” cervical curve is said to appear?

Answer 10

within the first year after birth

Question 11

What developmental events are indicated in the formation of the adult cervical spine?

Answer 11

1. center for vision and equilibrium will appear in the brain
2. musculature attaching to the skull, cervical region, and upper thorax together develops
3. the head is held upright
4. the intervertebral disc height becomes greater anterior than posterior

Question 12

At what age will the infant begin to hold the head erect?

Answer 12

usually between the third and fourth month after birth

Question 13

What is the name givento the integration of visual andmotor pathways associated with holding the head erect?

Answer 13

the righting reflex

Question 14

What is the location for the apex of the cervical curve?

Answer 14

typically between C4-C5

Question 15

What is the location for the cervical kyphoysis?

Answer 15

between occiput and C1

Question 16

What is the vertebral relationship between the cervical curve and cervical enlargment?

Answer 16

cervical curve C2-T1; cervical enlargement C3-T1

Question 17

What infant activites are associated with the development of the lumbar curve?

Answer 17

crawling and walking

Question 18

Whar developmental events are indicated in the formation of the adult lumbar curve?

Answer 18

1. crawling will cause the abdomen to put tension onthe 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 greateranterior compared to posterior
4. walking will further promote muscle and intervertebral disc development

Question 19

Which sense is a requirement for holding the headerect, standing, sitting, and walking?

Answer 19

vision

Question 20

What is the gender bias associated with the lumbar curve convexity?

Answer 20

females have a greater convexity of the lumbar curve

Question 21

What is the vertebral relationship between the lumbar curve and lumbar enlargement?

Answer 21

lumbar curve T12-L5; lumbar enlargement T9-T12

Question 22

What is the time of apperance of the lateral curves?

Answer 22

they appear after 6 years old

Question 23

What is the relationship betweencurvedirection and handedness?

Answer 23

a right handed person has a high probability for a right throacic, left lumbar curve combination