Development of vertebral column Flashcards
What regions is the primary curvature retained throughout life
Thoracic
Sacral
Coccygeal
Definition of kyphosis
Curvature that is concave anteriorly
They are primary curvatures
Definition of lordosis
Curvature that is concave posteriorly
They are secondary curvatures
How many curvatures in adult VC
4 (2 kyphoses and 2 lordoses)
Advantages of curvature of adult VC
4 curvatures gives it great flexibility and resilience
Where are the kyphoses of the adult VC
Thoracic
Sacrococcygeal
Where are the lordoses of the adult VC
Cervical
Lumbral
How does the VC change during pregnancy
Lumbar lordosis exaggerates as centre of gravity shifts anteriorly
What’s the first secondary curvature to develop
How does it develop
Cervical lordosis
Develops as baby starts to lift its head
How does the lumbar lordosis develop
Lumbar region loses its primary curvature during crawling
Develops when child begins to stand up and walk
What points of the adult VC does the centre of gravity pass through
What’s the significance of this
C1/C2 C7/T1 T12/L1 L5/S1 These are weak points
What happens to VC in the elderly
Senile kyphosis
Secondary curvatures begin to disappear and primary curvature is re-established
How many curvatures in foetal VC
What is this known as
1 - Kyphosis
Primary curvature
