Intro to Vertebral Column Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of the vertebral column?

A

It is required to meet the demands of mobility and stability of the trunk and extremities and protect the spinal cord.

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2
Q

What are the 2 primary/kyphotic curves?

A

Thoracic and sacral

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3
Q

What are the 2 secondary/lordotic curves?

A

Cervical and lumbar

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4
Q

What is the advantage of a curved vertebral column?

A

Increased ability to resist compressive loads.

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5
Q

What is a motion segment and what does it consist of?

A

The functional unit of the spine.

Consist of:

  1. any 2 adjacent vertebrae
  2. intervertebral disc
  3. soft tissue that secures them
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6
Q

What does the typical vertebrae consist of?

A

Consist of 2 parts:

  1. Anteriorly = vertebral body
  2. Posteriorly = vertebral arch
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7
Q

What is the composition of a typical vertebrae?

A
Shell = cortical bone
Interior = cancellous bone/trabecular bone
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8
Q

What is considered the weight bearing structure of the spinal column?

A

The vertebral body.

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9
Q

What is the function of the pedicles for the vertebral arch?

A

To transmit tension and bending forces from posterior elements to vertebral body.

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10
Q

What is included in the posterior elements of the vertebral arch?

A
  1. Articular processes = 2 superior and 2 inferior facets. Form the articular pillar
  2. Laminae = pars interarticularis, which is a portion of laminae between superior and inferior articular processes. They are subject to bending forces.
  3. Spinous process
  4. Transverse process
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11
Q

Describe the general function of each segment that makes up a vertebrae.

A
  1. Body = resist compressive loads
  2. Pedicle = transmit the bending forces from the posterior elements to the vertebral body
  3. Lamina = transmit forces from the articular, transverse and spinous processes to the pedicles
  4. Transverse processes = serve as muscle attachment and provide mechanical lever.
  5. Spinous processes = serve as muscle attachment and provide mechanical lever; may also serve as bony block to motion.
  6. Vertebral foramen = combined with all segments. forms a passage and protection for the spinal cord.
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12
Q

Describe the intervertebral disc and what it consist of

A

Composes 20-33% of vertebral height and progresses in size as go down the spinal column.

Consist of:

  1. nucleus pulposus
  2. Anulus fibrosus
  3. Vertebral end plate
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13
Q

What is the nucleus pulposus?

A

Pulp-like gel in the center of the disc.

70-90% water

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14
Q

What is the annulus fibrosus?

A

The fibrous outer ring of the disc.
60-70% water and is composed of collagen and elastin.

Arranged in 15 to 25 concentric layers/rings and the fibers are oriented 65 degrees from vertical.

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15
Q

What is the vertebral end plate?

A

The cartilaginous layer.

Covers the superior and inferior surfaces.

Strongly attached to annulus fibrosis but no the vertebral body.

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16
Q

What is the function of the intervertebral disc?

A
  1. Separate two vertebral bodies and therefore increase available motion.
  2. Transmit load from one vertebral body to the next.
  3. Stabilization of the spine.
  4. Provide space between vertebrae for exiting spinal nerves.
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17
Q

Describe what an intervertebral joint is and the type of motion they provide.

A

A joint between the vertebral bodies.

Motion:

  • gliding
  • distraction and compression
  • rotation/tilt
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18
Q

Describe a facet joint.

A

Synovial joint that is the articulation between a superior facet with an inferior facet of another vertebrae.

*Contain fibroadipose meniscoids.

19
Q

What affect available motion of a facet joint?

A

The shape and orientation of the articular processes.

20
Q

Where are the facet joint capsules the strongest in the spine?

A

Highest strength in the thoracolumbar region and cervicothoracic junction.

21
Q

What are the motions of the vertebral column?

A

Flexion
Extension
Lateral flexion (sidebending)
Rotation

22
Q

What is coupling?

A

The consistent association of one motion about an axis with another motion around a different axis.

23
Q

What two motions do you see coupling with in the spinal column?

A

Lateral flexion and rotation.

*Pure lateral flexion and pure rotation do not occur in any region of the spine.

24
Q

List the reasons why coupling patterns vary.

A
  1. Spinal posture
  2. Spinal curvature
  3. Orientation of articulating facets
  4. Fluidity/elasticity/thickness of the disc
  5. Extensibility of the muscles, ligaments and joint capsules.
25
Q

What do the intervertebral disc assist the vertebrae in doing?

A
  1. Increases movement between 2 adjacent vertebrae
  2. Allows for vertebrae to rock or tilt on each other secondary to deformable disc between them.
  3. Adds significant ROM
  4. The annulus fibrosus acts to restrain motion.
26
Q

What do intervertebral joints assist the vertebrae in doing?

A
  1. Determine the magnitude of movement
  2. Distribute load
  3. Create space for movement and passage of the spinal nerve roots.
27
Q

What do facet joints assist in doing?

A

Determining the direction of movement.

28
Q

What determines the osteokinematics of the spinal cord?

A

The description of movement based on the direction of the superior segment’s anterior portion.

29
Q

What are the arthrokinematics of the intervertebral joints?

A
  1. Approximation/distraction
  2. Sliding
  3. Tipping
30
Q

What are the arthrokinematics of the facet joints?

A
  1. Approximation/distraction

2. Sliding

31
Q

What happens at the spine during flexion?

A

Anterior tilt and anterior glide of the superior vertebra.

32
Q

What happens to the intervertebral foramen, spinous process and the annulus fibrosus during flexion?

A

Widening of the intervertebral foramen.

Separation of the spinous processes.

Anterior compression and posterior stretching of the annulus fibrosus.

33
Q

What limits excessive motion during flexion?

A
  1. Supraspinous and interspinous ligaments
  2. Tension in facet joint capsules
  3. Ligamentum flavum
  4. Posterior longitudinal ligament
  5. Posterior annulus fibrosus
  6. Back extensors
34
Q

What happens at the spine during extension?

A

Posterior tilt and posterior glide of the superior vertebrae.

35
Q

What happens to the intervertebral foramen, spinous process and the annulus fibrosus during extension?

A

Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen.

Approximation of spinous processes.

Posterior compression and anterior stretching of the annulus fibrosus.

36
Q

What limits excessive motion during extension?

A
  1. Bony contact of spinous processes
  2. Tension in facet joint capsules
  3. Anterior longitudinal ligament
  4. Anterior annulus fibrosus
  5. Anterior trunk muscles
37
Q

What happens at the spine during lateral flexion?

A

Lateral tilt, rotation, and translation of the superior vertebra.

38
Q

What happens to the intervertebral foramen, spinous process and the annulus fibrosus during lateral flexion?

A

Widening of intervertebral foramen on side contralateral to the lateral flexion and narrowing on ipsilateral side.

Compression of the annulus fibrosus on the ipsilateral side of the movement and stretching on the contralateral side of movement.

Rotation will differ depending on the region.

39
Q

What limits excessive movement in lateral flexion?

A
  1. Annulus fibrosus
  2. Intertransverse ligaments
  3. Trunk muscles
40
Q

What happens during rotation of the spine?

A

Rotation varies widely by region.

Approximation of contralateral facet joint and distraction of ipsilateral facet joint.

41
Q

What does the ability to resist loads by region dependent on?

A
  1. Type/rate/duration of loading
  2. Person’s age
  3. Posture
  4. Various structural elements
  5. Integrity of nervous system.
42
Q

What type of forces is the vertebral column subject to?

A
  1. Axial compression
  2. Tension
  3. Bending
  4. Torsion
  5. Shear
43
Q

What are the functions of the spinal musculature?

A
  1. Control posture
  2. Stabilize axial skeleton
  3. Protect spinal cord and internal organs
  4. Generate intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal pressure
  5. Produce torque for movement of the body
  6. Mobility of head and neck for optimal place of eyes, ears, and nose.