L20 spinal column - ligaments and muscles

Question 1

what are the 2 types of joints of the vertebral column?

Answer 1

• IV joint & disks
• facet joints

Question 2

Describe IV discs

ie function and structure

Answer 2

• the IV discs are designed for** weight bearing and strength and therefore increase in size as the vertebral column descends **
• each IV disc contains a** thick outer ring of fibrous cartilage** called the anulus fibrosus and an** inner gelatinous core** called the **nucleus pulposus **

Question 3

Describe facet joints

where are they formed? what kind of movements do they provide?

Answer 3

• formed between the** superior and inferior articular processes** of adjoining vertebrae
• the articular surface of each facet is lined with hyaline cartilage
• they permit gliding movement - however the type depends on the region of the vertebral column.. but may be flexion, rotation, extension etc

Question 4

where does movement of the spine occur & how does this movement occur?

Answer 4

• movement takes place at the joints
• by the contraction / relaxation of the muscle bellies anchored to the spine via their tendons

Question 5

what is a ligament?

Answer 5

a band of tough elastic tissue that connects bones to other bones to forma joint

Question 6

what are the 7 key ligaments of the spine?

Answer 6

• anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL)
• **posterior longitudinal ligament **
• ligamentum nuchae of C spine
• **Supraspinous ligament **of T&L spine
• Interspinous ligament
• intertransverse ligament
• ligamentum flavum

Question 7

Describe the anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 7

• the anterolateral surface of the vertebral bodies and IV discs are covered by a strong fibrous tissue called the ALL
• goes from C2 to pelvic surface of sacrum
• contains a superficial and deep part
• critical for stability

Question 8

what is the crucial function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 8

• stability
• prevents anterolateral herniation of IV discs and hyper extension of spine

Question 9

Describe the **posterior longitudinal ligament **

Answer 9

• this ligament runs **along the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies **
• goes from C2-sacrum
  * much narrower than the ALL
• it functions to resist hyperflexion of the vertebral column and** prevents posterior herniation **

Question 10

what does the posterior longitudinal ligament extend into the intracranial aspect of the base of the skull?

Answer 10

• the tectorial membrane

Question 11

Describe the nuchal ligament

structure

Answer 11

• The nuchal ligament is a thick fibroelastic band **at the back of the neck **that extends between the base of the skull and C7 in the midline
• attaches at the external occipital protuberance to the posterior border of the foramen magnum

Question 12

what is the** function of the nuchal ligament**?

Answer 12

• support the head
• prevents excessive forward flexion

Question 13

in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine, what is the extension of the ‘nuchal’ ligament called?

what is it and function…

Answer 13

• supraspinous ligament
• functions to prevent excessive forward flexion

Question 14

Describe the interspinous ligament

Answer 14

• the interspinous ligaments connect the adjacent vertebral spinous processes
• weak
• most developed in the lumbar region

Question 15

what is the** function of the interspinous ligament **?

Answer 15

• limits and** prevents excessive forward flexion and rotation **

Question 16

Describe the** intertransverse ligaments**

structure & function

Answer 16

• sheets of connective tissue that** connect the adjacent transverse processes** of adjoining vertebrae
• function to **prevent excessive lateral flexion **

Question 17

Describe the ligamentum flavum

Answer 17

• thin, broad ligaments that connect the laminae of each adjacent vertbrae
• mainly composed of yellow elastic tissue

Question 18

what are the functions of the ligamentum flavum

Answer 18

• remember yellow elastic tissue - high elasticity preserves upright posture
• limits forward flexion and rotation

Question 19

what **membrane **does the ligamentum flavum continue to the cranium as?

Answer 19

• the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament / membrane

Question 20

in what 3 categories are the muscles of the back put into & functions?

Answer 20

• superficial- movements of the shoulder
• intermediate - movements of the thoracic cage / respiration
• deep -movements of the vertebral column and head

Question 21

what are the deep back muscles divided into?

3 things

Answer 21

1. superficial deep
2. intermediate deep
3. deep deep

Question 22

what are the deep muscles of the vertebral column covered by?

Answer 22

deep fascia

Question 23

what nerve innervates the deep muscles of the back?

Answer 23

posterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 24

what is the superficial deep group of muscles called?

Answer 24

• spinotransversales

Question 25

what is the intermediate deep muscle group of the back called?

Answer 25

• erector spinae

Question 26

what is the deep deep muscles group of the back called?

Answer 26

transversospinales

Question 27

if a muscle has capitis at the end, what dos it insert onto?

Answer 27

the cranium

Question 28

if a muscle has cervicis at the end of its name, what does it insert onto?

Answer 28

C spine - cervical spine

Question 29

if the muscle has thoracis at the end of its name, what does it insert onto?

Answer 29

the T spine - thoracic spine

Question 30

if a muscle has lumborum at the end of its name, what does it insert onto?

Answer 30

the L spine

Question 31

what are the 2 muscles in the spinotransversales group (superficial group of deep back layer)?

Answer 31

1. splenius capitis
2. splenius cervicis

Question 32

where does the splenius capitis originate and insert itself onto?

Answer 32

• originates from the lower aspect of ligamentum nuchae and inserts itself onto the mastoid process (temporal bone) and occipital bone

Question 33

where does the splenius cervicis originate and insert itself onto?

Answer 33

• originates from the spinous processes of T3-T6
• inserts onto the transverse proceses of C1-C3/4

Question 34

as a group, what is the action/function of the spinotransversales group (superficial deep)?

Answer 34

• they rotate the head to the same side (ie ipsilateral rotation)
• as a group they act together to extend the head and neck

Question 35

what are the** 3 muscles **of the intermediate group of the deep back layer (ie erector spinae)?

hint : I Love Spines

Answer 35

• I - Iliocostalis
• Longissimus
• Spinalis

Question 36

what is the function of the erector spinae group?

Answer 36

they act as powerful extensors
* both bilaterally (keep spine erect & extended) and unilaterally (assist spinal rotation and lateral flexion to the same side)

Question 37

what 3 muscles does the transversespinales group (deepest layer of back muscles) consist of?

Answer 37

• semispinalis group
• multifidus group
• rotatores gorup

Question 38

what are the functions/actions of the transversospinales group (deepest layer of back muscles)?

Answer 38

• extending spine
• contralateral rotation - rotation to opposite side
• ipsalateral flexion - flexion to the same side

Question 39

what are the other 3 minor groups of muscles that contribute to the deepest layer of back muscle?

Answer 39

1. interspinales
2. intertransversarii
3. levatores costarum