Intro To Vertebral Column Flashcards
Vertebral column function
Meet the demands of mobility and stability of the trunk and extremities
Protect the spinal cord
Advantage of a curved vertebral column
Increased ability to resist comprehensive load
A Motion segment consists of
2 adjacent vertebrae
Intervertebral disc
Any Soft tissue that secures them
A typical vertebra has anterior and posterior parts. What is the posterior part and what does it consist of?
Vertebral arch:
Pedicles
Posterior elements- laminae, articular cartilage, spinous process, and transverse processes
The weight bearing structure of the spinal column is
Vertebral body
What portion of the vertebra transmits forces from the articular, transverse, and spinous processes to the pedicles?
Lamina
Function of the pedicle
Transmit bending forces from the posterior elements to the vertebral body
The spinous process serves as a muscle attachment point but it also has these functions
Provides mechanical lever
Provides a bony block to motion
3 parts of the Intervertebral disc
Nucleus purposes
Annulus fibrosis
Vertebral end plate
Size of the intervertebral disc is related to what 2 things?
Amount of motion
Magnitude of load being transmitted
The “pulp-like gel” center if an IV disc is called the
Nucleus pulposus
What is the annulus fibrosus?
Fibrous outer ring of the IV disc composed of collagen and elastin
The annulus fibrosus is arranged in 15-25 layers. What is their orientation?
Fibers are oriented 65 degrees from vertical
What is the cartilage layer that covers the superior and inferior surfaces of the intervertebral disc called?
Vertebral end plate
What is the vertebral end plate attached to?
Annulus fibrosus
The vertebral end plate is ______ in children and ranges from ____ to ______ mm in adults.
Larger
0.6-1
Function of intervertebral discs
Separate 2 vertebral bodies (increasing available motion)
Transmits load from one vertebral body to the next
Stabilization of the spine
Provide space between vertebra for exiting spinal nerves
Available motion in a motion segment in the spine is a reflection of _________________ to _________________ ratio. The ______________ the ratio, the greater the movement.
Disc height to vertebral body height
Larger
What property of the disc allows for uniform distribution of force through the joint?
The fluid property
The _____________________ is capable of resisting distraction, shear, and torsion to stabilize the spine.
Annulus fibrosus
Slouching produces _____________ disc pressure than sitting erect because the load is moved to the front of the body.
Greater
What type of joint are the intervertebral joints
Symphysis type cartilaginous jt
Intervertebral joints allow for what types of motions
Gliding
Distraction/compression
Rotation (tilt)
Zygapophsyseal joints are _____________ that articulate _________________ with ______________ of vertebrae
Synovial
Superior articular facets with inferior articulating facets
What determines available motion of a zygopophyseal (facet) jt?
Shape and orientation of articular processes and facets
Facet joints don’t follow the concave-convex rule. Instead they have _________________________ to increase joint congruency
Fibroadipose meniscoids
These ligaments limit forward flexion of the spine (4)
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous ligaments
Supraspinous ligaments
What ligament limits extension of the spine?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
What ligament limits contralateral lateral flexion?
Intertransverse ligaments
There is a high incidence of posterolateral disc herniations in the lumbar spine because the ____________________ ligament in this area ____________ (which doesn’t provide as much support to the IV discs).
Posterior longitudinal
Narrows
Zygapophyseal jt capsules are strongest in the _______________ region & ____________ junction
Thoracolumbar
Cervicothoracic
Zygapophyseal joint capsules functions
Limit motion
Add stability
Zygapophyseal jt capsules primarily restrain ____________________ & ___________, and are vulnerable to __________
Cervical rotation and side bending & Lumbar rotation
Hyper flexion
Osteokinematics of the vertebral column
Flexion
Extension
Lateral flexion
Rotation
In the vertebral column, motions are often ____________. Best shown with _____________&__________
Coupled (consistent association of one motion about an axis with another motion around a different axis)
Lateral flexion and rotation
Coupling patterns vary based on:
Spinal posture
Spinal curvature
Orientation of articulating facets
Fluidity/elasticity/thickness of the disc
Extensibility of muscles, ligaments, and joint capsules
Intervertebral discs add significant ROM by allowing for vertebrae to __________________ secondary to ______________ disc between them
Rock/tilt on eachother
Deformable
In the intervertebral joint ________________ restrains motion
Annulus fibrosus
Intervertebral joints differ in ________________, distribute _______, and create ________________________.
Magnitude of movement
Load
Space for movement and passage of spinal nerve roots
Facet jts are considered the “__________________” because they determine_______________________.
Train tracks
Direction of movement
The Osteokinematics if a motion segment is a description of movement based on the direction of the __________ segment’s __________ portion.
Superior
Antierior
Describe the Osteokinematics of the spine
Flex/ext
Lat flex
Rotation
What are some typical Arthrokinematics seen in the Intervertebral jts
Approximation/distraction
Sliding
Tipping
What are some typical Arthrokinematics seen in the facet jts
Approximation/gapping
Sliding
Describe the Kinematics of FLEXION in the spine
Anterior tilt and anterior glide of the superior vertebra
Describe how flexion in the spine will change the posterior portion of a motion segment
Widens the the intervertebral foramen and separation of spinous processes
Describe what changes in the anterior portion of a motion segment during FLEXION
Compression of the annulus fibrosus and posterior strength of the annulus fibrosus
Excessive flexion of a motion segment is limited secondary to:
Supraspinous and interspinous ligaments Ligamentum flavum Posterior longitudinal ligament Posterior annulus fibrosus Back extensor muscles
Describe the Kinematics of EXTENSION in the spine
Posterior tilt and posterior glide of superior vertebra
What happens in the anterior portion of a motion segment during extension?
Anterior stretching of the annulus fibrosus
Describe what happens in the posterior portion of a motion segment during extension?
Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen
Spinous processes approximate
Compression of posterior annulus fibrosus
Excessive extension of the spine is limited secondary to:
Bony contact of spinous processes Tension in facet joint capsule Anterior longitudinal ligament Anterior annulus fibrosus Anterior trunk muscles
Describe the Kinematics of lateral flexion
Lateral tilt, rotation, and translation of the superior vertebra over the vertebra below
Describe how the intervertebral foramen and annulus fibrosus change during lateral flexion
Intervertebral foramen: Widens on the contralateral side and narrowing on the ipsilateral side
Annulus fibrosus: stretches on contralateral side and compression on ipsilateral
Direction of rotation during lateral flexion differs slightly in different regions because…
Or the orientation of the facets
Excessive lateral flexion is limited secondary to
Annulus fibrosus
Inter transverses ligament
Trunk muscles
Describe general Kinematics of rotation in the spine
Approximation of contralateral facet jt and distraction of ipsilateral facet jt
The vertebral column is subject to what types of forces?
Axial compression Tension Bending Torsion Shear
The ability of the vertebral column to resist these forces depend on what factors?
Type/duration/rate of loading Persons age Posture Various structure elements Integrity of nervous system
Functions of spinal musculature
Controls posture
Stabilize axial skeleton
Protect spinal cord and internal organs
Generate Intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal pressure
Produce torque for movement of the body
Mobility of head and neck for optimal place of eyes, ears, and nose
Which ligament reinforces the posterior proportion of the annulus fibrosus
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum flavum limits motion the most in what region of the spine?
Lumbar
How does the anterior longitudinal ligament limit extension?
Reinforces anterior portion of annulus fibrosus and anterior aspect of intervertebral disc
