Curves of Column: Normal Curvature

Question 1

Why is the posterior curve also called the primary curve?

Answer 1

it is the first curve to appear embryologically

Question 2

What are the remnants of the primary curve along the vertebral column?

Answer 2

the thoracic or dorsal curve and the pelvic or sacrococcygeal curve

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Anterior curve, secondary curve, compensatory curve

Question 4

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

Answer 4

cervical curve and lumbar curve

Question 5

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

Answer 5

usually between the third and fourth month after birth

Question 6

What is the name given to the integration of visual and motor pathways associated with holding the head erect?

Answer 6

the righting reflex

Question 7

What is the location for the cervical kyphosis?

Answer 7

between occiput and C1

Question 8

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

Answer 8

crawling and walking

Question 9

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

Answer 9

vision

Question 10

What is the gender bias associated with lumbar curve convexity?

Answer 10

females have a greater convexity of the lumbar curve

Question 11

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

Answer 11

lumbar curve T12-L5; lumbar enlargement T9-T12

Question 12

What is the relationship between curve direction and handedness?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is the time of appearance of the lateral curves?

Answer 14

they appear after 6 years old

Question 15

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

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What segment levels form the cervical curve?

Answer 16

C2 - T1

Question 17

What segmental levels form the lumbar curve?

Answer 17

T12 - L5

Question 18

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

Answer 18

the third fetal month

Question 19

What is the transitional time of appearance of the cervical curve said to be?

Answer 19

during the last trimester in utero

Question 20

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

Answer 20

within the first year after birth

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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 held upright
4. the intervertebral disc height becomes greater anterior than posterior

Question 22

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

Answer 22

typically between C4 and C5

Question 23

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

Answer 23

cervical curve C2-T1; cervical enlargement C3-T1

Question 24

What is the time of appearance of the lumbar curve?

Answer 24

between 12 and 18 months after birth