Exam 2: Thoracics Flashcards
T spine thought to be designed for
Rigidity
Protection of thoracic viscera takes precedence over
Intersegmental spinal mobility
Thoracic spine is the _____ part of spinal column
LEAST mobile
T spine serves as ____ btw C and L spines
Transition area
Upper T spine resembles ___ spine
C
Lower T spine tends to resemble ___ spine
L
T spine is prone to ____ problems and ____ syndromes
Chronic postural; myofascial pain
T spine is clinically important bc biomechanical changes may result in effects to
Sympathetic NS (T1-L2)
Spinous processes are ____ and limit ____
Long and slender; extension
T spine transverse processes are ____ and have a concave facet on _____
Thick, strong, long; anterior side
Facets of T spine are ___ degrees from horizontal plane, and __ degrees from frontal plane
60 degrees; 20 degrees Y axis rotation
Inferior articular process orientation
AIM
Superior articular process orientation
Posterior, superior, lateral
BUL
Thoracic IVDs are comparatively
Thin
Disc height to body ratio is
1:5 (smallest in spine)
Low ratio contributes to
Least flexibility in spine
The nucleus is more ____ located w/in annulus
Centrally
Normal kyphotic curve is less than
55 degrees
Greater than 55 degrees =
Hyperkyphotic
Average kyphotic curve
45 degrees
T curve is considered a ___ curve
Primary
The kyphotic curve is maintained by
Wedge-shaped VB
Curve extends from T1-12 w/ ___ as apex
T6-7
Thoracic VB are higher ____
Posteriorly
Alterations in kyphosis can be
Anatomic or postural
Structural or functional
A change in primary T curve likely to produce change in
C and L secondary curves
Change in T curve often associated w/
Chronic stretch of trapezius and posterior back/neck muscles
As T curve increases, it crowds the
Thoracic viscera
Increased thoracic kyphosis can be a result of
Juvenile kyphosis (Scheuermann disease)
Osteoporosis
In T spine flexion and extension is
Restricted
____ is most limited because of impaction of articular and spinous processes
Extension
Axial rotation and lateral bending demonstrate _____ movement
Nearly equal
Rotation and lateral bending exhibit ___ as much movement ad flex/ext
2x
Primary movement in T spine
Lateral bending coupled w/ axial rotation
ThetaZ (Lateral bending) is always coupled with
ThetaY (axial rotation)
T1-T4 spinous rotates to ____ side
Contralateral
T9-T12 spinous rotates more to ___ side
Ipsilateral
Sometimes we just split T spine in half
T1-6 like cervicals
T7-12 like lumbars
Thoracic flexion and extension combined w/ slight
+/- Z translation
When walking, greatest rotation is observed in
Middle Thoracics
The rib cage inc Y axis stability during compression ___times
4
Costovertebral joints
Heads of ribs to VB
Costotransverse joints
Necks and tubercles or ribs w/ TP
Ribs to only articulate w/ single VB
1 and 10-12
Ribs to articulate w/ adjacent VBs
2-9
Ribs to have a costotransverse joint
1-10
True ribs definition
Connect to sternum directly via costal cartilage
Ribs that are true ribs
1-7
False ribs definition
Indirectly attached via shared costal cartilage
Ribs that are false ribs
8-10
Floating ribs definition
Free floating, no anterior attachment
Ribs that are floating ribs
Ribs 11-12
Effect of body rotation on ribs
Accentuate posterior concavity of rib on side of body rotation and flattening on opposite side
Movements are dec from levels ___ but coupled movements are same as for the typical cervical region
C6-T3
CT junction is considered hard to adjust bc
Transition from most mobile to least mobile area of the spine
Significant structural characteristic in lower T spine
Change from coronal facet plane to sagittal plane in L spine
Posterior primary rami of spinal roots of T12-L2 form
Cluneal nerves
Cluneal nerves innervate
Skin and superficial structures of upper posterolateral butt, iliac crest, groin
Maigne syndrome
chronic and acute back pain caused by lower T spine rather than L or SI regions
