Exam 2: Lumbars Flashcards
Lumbar spine is largely responsible for
Trunk mobility
Inferior articular processes are ____ and face ____
Convex; anterolaterally
Orientation of inferior articular processes
AIL
Superior articular processes are ___ and face ____
Concave; posteromedially
Lumbar facets lie primarily in
Sagittal plane
Coronal at lumbosacral jxn
Sagittal facet configuration limits _____
Rotational flexibility
Sagittal facet configuration allows for greater mobility in
Flexion and extension
L1-L4 facets have ___ orientation and limit ____
Sagittal; axial rotation (thetaY)
L5-S1 facets have ___ orientation and limit _____
Coronal; P/A shear (z translation)
Lumbar facets normally carry ____% of axial load and up to ___% in extension
18% normally; 33% in extension
Primary movement in lumbar spine
Flexion/extension
___% of trunk Flex/ext occurs in lumbar spine
75%
Lumbar spine exhibits ___ times as much flexion as extension
2x
Lateral bending is coupled w/
Axial rotation
Spinous rotates to ___ side
Ipsilateral side
EXCEPT it may switch at L4/5
Nucleus pulposus in lumbar IVD are oriented
Posteriorly
Disc height to body height ratio =
1:3
The ratio gives disc greater
Resistance to axial compressive forces
Lumbar spinal canal contains/protects _____ proximally and the ____ distally
Lumbar enlargement (conus medullaris) proximally; cauda equina w/ spinal nerves distally
CNS is tethered to coccyx by
Filum terminale
Is the dural sac and its contents freely mobile?
No, Hoffman ligs stabilize them
Lumbar lordotic curve is a ____ curve
Secondary
Lumbar curve starts to develop
9-12 months of age (beginning to sit up)
Apex of lumbar curve
L3-4 disc
Normal lumbar lordosis should be ____ degrees
20-60 degrees
Sacral base angle increases with ant pelvic tils which results in
Inc in lumbar lordosis, and mor weight-bearing responsibility on facets
Sacral base angle dec w/ a posterior pelvic tilt which results in
Dec in lumbar lordosis, and more weight on disc
Dec in spines ability to absorb axial compression forces