Curves of Spinal Column

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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 embryologically

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Thoracic or dorsal curve

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

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

Third fetal month

Question 9

What is the traditional time of appearance 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 curve?

Answer 11

Centers for vision and equilibrium will appear in the brain
Musculature attaching the skull, cervical region, and upper thorax together develop
Head is held upright
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 given to the integration of visual and motor pathways associated with holding the head erect?

Answer 13

Righting reflex

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Typically between C4 and C5

Question 15

What is the location for the cervical kyphosis?

Answer 15

Between occiput and C1

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Cervical curve C2-T1

Cervical enlargement C3-T1

Question 17

What is the time of appearance of the lumbar curve?

Answer 17

Between 12 and 18 months after birth

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Crawling and walking

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Vision

Question 21

What is the gender bias associated with lumbar curve convexity?

Answer 21

Females have a greater convexity of the lumbar curve

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Lumbar curve T12-L5

Lumbar enlargement T9-T12

Question 23

What is the time of appearance of the lateral curves?

Answer 23

Appear after age 6

Question 24

What is the relationship between curve direction and handedness?

Answer 24

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