lesson 2- The back Flashcards
what percentage of GP consultations are formed by back pain?
20%
how many bones make up the vertebral column?
33 bones
what are the main functions of the vertebral column?
weight bearing, protection, movement and site of muscle attachment
the vertebral column carries transmits weight from….. to ……
the vertebral column carries and transmits weight from the upper body down to the lower limbs
what provides the shock absorption in the vertebral column?
curvatures and intervertebral discs
the foetus spine lacks what in its shape?
a foetus’s spine lacks lordes (dips in the spine).
regarding the shape/curvature of the spine, what provides flexible support an shock-absorbing resilience?
the lordosis and kyphosis in the curvature of the spine provides flexible support and shock absorbing resilience
when does the lordoses develop?
during infancy
give examples of abnormal curvatures of the spine?
excessive thoracic kyphosis
excessive lumbar lordosis
scoliosis
when can excessive lumber lordosis occur?
during pregnancy
how does scoliosis develop?
imbalance in the growth of the vertebrae or back muscles between the left and right resulting in the spine being imbalanced.
name the processes which make up the vertebral arch.
spinous process, transverse process and superior & inferior articular process
name the different parts of the vertebrae?
vertebral body, pedicle, lamina, transverse process, spinous process, inferior and superior articular processes.
describe what the intervertebral disk is made of.
intervertebral disc is made of water nucleus pulposa and is covered by rings of connective tissue called annulus fibrosis.
describe how a ‘slip disc’ occurs.
when there is something wrong with the fibre cartilage- annulus fibrosis, the nucleus pulposa is able to leak out and pinch on the spinal nerves in the spinal root causing pain - herniated disc.
a sliped disc is medically what?
a slipped disc
what does the vertebral column protect?
spinal cord, spinal nerves, arteries and veins
what covers the spinal cord?
the meninges - pia matter, arachnoid matter and dura matter
what lies between the different membranes of the meninges?
cerebrospinal fluid
what are the movements of the spine?
extension/flexion, lateral flexion/lateral extension, rotation of head and rotation of upper trunk.
what type of joint is the facet?
synovial plane
what type of joint is at the articulation of the vertebrae with the rib?
synovial plane
what type of joint is between the skull and the atlas?
synovial condyloid
what type of joint is at the atlas and axis?
synovial pivot.
name the ligaments of the vertebral column?
anterior and posterior longitudinal, ligamentus flavum, interspinous and supraspinous.
what is the main back muscle called?
erector spinae
is the erector spine an intrinsic extrinsic back muscle?
intrinsic
whats the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic muscles?
intrinsic- only attach to the back and not to the limbs.
extrinsic extend to the limbs as well
what lies within the vertebral foramen?
the spinal canal which contains the spinal cord, spinal meninges, spinal nerve roots and vascular structures.
how many spinal nerves are there attached to the spinal cord?
31 pairs of spinal nerves.
what is the specific name for vertebra C7?
vertebra prominers.
describe structure of the cervical vertebrae.
cervical vertebrae: small wide body small or absent transverse process short spinous process large triangular vertebral foramen
describe the structure of the thoracic vertebrae.
thoracic vertebrae: heart shaped body largest transverse process long spinous process smaller vertebral foramen
describe the structure of the lumbar vertebrae.
lumbar vertebrae: largest/heaviest body long and thin transverse process short and sturdy spinous process triangular vertebral foramen
concerning the vertebral column: what does the…
ligament flavum connect?
the anterior longitudinal connect?
the posterior longitudinal ligament connect?
supraspinous ligament connect?
interspinous ligament?
the laminae of adjacent vertebral arches vertebral bodies vertebral bodies spinous process's spinous process's (in-between)
how many adult curvatures are there in the back?
Also what type and where do they occur?
there are 4 curvatures of an adult back. cervical = lordose thoracid = kyphose lumbar = lordose sacral = kyphose
in each of the 3 vertebrae, in what plane is movement permitted?
cervical = transverse plane thoracic = sagittal lumbar = sagittal ??? check this question!
when the trunk flexors and extensors contract at the same time, what does this cause?
intra-abdominal pressure.
where does the erector spinal muscles lie?
they lie posteriorly between the vertebral transverse and spinous process.
what are the major anterior muscles which can act on the vertebral column?
sternocleidomastoid in the neck and the anterior abdominal wall muscles (rectus abdomens, oblique muscles and transverse abdominis).
at what vertebra does the vertebra prominence lie?
C7
at what vertebra does the spine of scapula lie?
T3
at what vertebral level is the inferior angle of the scapula?
T7
at what vertebral level is the summit of the iliac crest?
L4
state some of the bony points which can be palpated on the back.
spine of scapula vertebra prominens lateral margin of acromion greater tubercle of humerus inferior angle of scapula summit of iliac crest
what important structures in the thorax are located at T4?
sternomanubrial joint, arch of the aorta and bifurcation of the trachea.
where is CSF taken in a lumbar puncture?
in an adult it is taken between the vertebrae L3 and L4 but in children it is between L4 and L5.
the spinous process and the interspinous distance decreases when you move down from the thoracic region to the lumbar region. true or false.
true.
the spinous process is smaller and the distance between the process’s gets closer as well in the lumbar region.
where does the spinal cord end?
L1 in adult and L2/3 in neonates.
What does the ligamentum flavum connect?
Adjacent vertebral lamina
What does the anterior longitudinal ligament connect?
Connects the anterior of the vertebral bodies
Runs down anterior side of the adjacent vertebral bodies
Where does the interspinous ligament and the supraspinous ligament lie?
Interspinous ligament lies between adjacent spinous processes
Supraspinous ligament runs down the posterior side of the spinous processes
What planes do the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebra permit movement in?
And what is this difference between each vertebrae to do with?
Cervical —> transverse
Thoracic —> coronal
Lumber —> Sagittarius
Permitting movement in certain planes is to do with the angle that the articulate facets lie
What movements are permitted in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions?
Cervical = rotation, flexion & extension and lateral flexion & extension Thoracic = rotation and lateral flexion & extension Lumbar = flexion & extension and lateral flexion & extension
What type of muscle is the erector spinal muscle? Flexor or extensor?
Extensor
What are the major anteriorly situated muscles that act on the vertebral column?
Sternocleidomastoid and abdominal wall muscles
Name the 3 abdominal wall muscles that act on the back.
Transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis and obliques
Where does the spinal cord begin?
At the occipital bone
The enlargement of the spinal cord at the cervical and lumbar regions is due to enlargement of white or grey matter?
Grey matter
What drains the blood from the vertebrae and the spinal cord?
Vertebral Venous plexus
