KNES 360 EXAM 2 Trunk & Spinal Column Flashcards
Vertebral Column
*Complex
24 intricate and complex articulating vertebrae (+ sacrum/coccyx)
Abdominal muscles
several sections linked by fascia and tendinous bands (really important)
do not attach from bone to bone (not designed for movement)
Bones
24 articulating and 9 fused vertebrae: -7 cervical (neck) vertebrae -12 thoracic (chest) vertebrae -5 lumbar (lower back) vertebrae -4 coccyx (tail bone) vertebrae First 2 cervical vertebrae: shapes allow for extensive rotary movements of head to side
Atlantoccipital Joint
First joint
Formed by occipital conduces of skull sitting on articular fossa of the 1st vertebrae
Allows flexion and extension
Atlantoaxial Joint
Atlas (C1) sits on axis (C2)
Most cervical rotation occurs here
Pivot-type joint
Most mobile joint of any two vertebrae
Vertebrae C3 through L5 Architecture
Body-Anterior bony block
Central vertebral foramen for spinal cord
Transverse process projecting out laterally
Spinous process projecting posteriorly
3 Normal Curves within the Spine
-Thoracic spine curves anteriorly (kyphosis)
-Cervical & lumbar spine curve posteriorly (lordosis)
-Spinal curves enable it to absorb blows & spocks
Vertebrae increase in size from cervical to lumbar region due to lower back having to support more weight
Lordosis
increased posterior concavity of lumbar & cervical curves
Kyphosis
increased anterior concavity of thoracic curve
Hypolordosis
reduction of normal lordotic curve, resulting in a flat-back appearance
Scoliosis
lateral curvatures or sideward deviations of spine
Changing lumbar curvature
Lumbar spine is happiest in a neutral lordotic posture. Any constant deviations from the posture puts your spine at risk of injury
Hyperlordosis
Common mechanism of back injury/pain in younger people
Muscular spasm and nerve impingement
Hypolordosis
Common mechanism of back injury/pain in older people
Leads to posterior disc herniation
Joints
Minimal movement between any 2 vertebrae (except atlantoaxial joint)
- Cumulative effect of combined movement from several vertebrae allows for substantial movements
- Vertebral body articulations classified as arthrodial: symposis (slightly moveable)
- Gliding type joints due to limited gliding movements (facet joints)
- Gliding movement between superior and inferior articular processes of facets joints
Intervertebral Discs
Annulus fibrosus: outer rim of dense fibrocartilage
Nucleus pulposus: central gelatinous, pulpy substance
Between vertebral bodies:
-Fibrocartilaginous disc
-Composed of annulus fibrosis and nucleus purposes
-Discs act to absorb shock through spine
Ligaments
Anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)
Posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)
Supraspinous ligament
Additional ligaments between adjacent vertebrae
SI joint has strong ligaments to maintain its stable position