Lines of alignment we need to know Flashcards
What is this line of alignment?
Angle of the Cervical Spine
Normal:
35-45 degrees normal lordosis
Longitudinal arch of the foot
- measured
Measured:
Compare the height from the curvilinear line extending
along the horizontal arch to the base line between the
calcaneus and the base of the 1st MTP.
Normal:
150-170 degrees.
**Significance**: Pes Planus (\>170 degrees)
Pes Cavus (<150 degrees)
What is this line of alignment?
Physiological Line of Stress (Ruth Jackson)
Normal:
Neutral: Should pass through C4/5 IVD
Flexion: Should Pass through C5/6
Extension: Should Pass through C4/5 posterior
Q Angle
- measured
- normal
- significance
- *Measured:**
- Line taking origin from ASIS through patella midpoint.
- Line through tibial plateau and midpoint of the patella.
Normal:
Men = 14 degrees
Women = 17 degrees
Significance: Altered in a variety of biomechanical issues and pathologies.
Ilio-Femoral Line
- measured
- normal
- significance
Measured:
A line along lateral margins of the ilium should continue as an unbroken curve along the superior margins of the femoral neck.
Normal:
Even appearance bilaterally
Significance:
Congenital dysplasia, SFCE, Dislocation, #
What is angle A?
Tibial Angle (TA):
Angle between tibial shaft and tibial plateau lines.
Normal:
85-100 degrees
Ulman’s Line
- measured
- normal
Measured:
Line extended upwards at a 90 degree angle to the superior surface of the sacral base at its anterior
margin.
Normal:
It should clear the anterior inferior margin of the L5 body.
At what level is the tracheal bifurcation usually in adults?
T6
What line of alignment is this (number 3)? What method is it? What other lines of alignment are depicted in this image?
Lumbar curve angle method 2:
Normal: 50-60
We can also see depicted (in angle 1) the sacral base angle
Normal: 41 degrees
What is the angle depicted in figure 1? What is normal?
Q angle
Normal:
Men = 14 degrees
Women = 17 degrees
What is the angle signified by A?
- normal
What is the angle signified by B?
- normal
A = Tibial angle
Normal:
45-61 (average 53 degrees)
B = Fibular angle
Normal:
43-62 (average 52 degrees)
Cervical line of Gravity
- measured
- normal
Measured:
The Cervical Gravity Line is created by first locating the center of the tip of the Odontoid Process, then dropping a line downward, perpendicular to the bottom of the film.
Normal:
This line should just touch the anterior body of C7
What is this line of alignment?
Fergusons line of alignment
Normal:
Should strike anterior margin or anterior 1⁄4 of sacral base
Carpal alignment
- measured (3 lines)
- significance
1: Line curving along scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum and pisiform
2: 2nd line running along superior articulations of pisiform, lunate, scaphoid.
3: 3rd line at inferior articulation of hamate Capitate.
Significance: Altered from a variety of fractures
and pathologies.
What are these lines of alignment?
Georges line:
ALL (anterior longitudinal line)
PLL (posterior longitudinal line)
SLL (Spino laminar line)
Lumbar Curve Angle
- 2 types:
- measured
- normal
- significance
Lumbar Curve Angle (method 1)
- *Measured**:
1: Horizontal line to superior endplate L1.
2: Horizontal line to inferior endplate L5.
Normal:
Upright: 35 – 45
Significance:
Muscular imbalance, Postural considerations, Nucleus pressure
- *Lumbar Curve Angle (method 2)**
- *Measured**:
1: Horizontal line to superior endplate L1.
2: Horizontal line to superior sacral base
Normal:
Upright: 50 - 60
Can vary from recumbent to upright positions.
Significance:
Muscular imbalance, Postural considerations. Nucleus pressure
Retropharyngeal Space
- measured
- normal
Measured:
Anterior Inferior border of C2 and posterior pharyngeal airspace.
Normal:
<5mm
What do these lines of alignment measure? Which method is indicated in each of the diagrams?
These are methods for measuring the degree of scoliosis.
On the left = Cobb method.
On the right = Risser method.
Meyerdings’s Classifications:
- what is it used for
- measured by
To classify a spondylolisthesis
Measured:
Sacral base is divided into 4 equal parts. The
relative slip of the vertebrae above is classified.
Angle of Cx. Spine
- measured
- normal
Measured:
Midpoints of anterior and posterior tubercles of the atlas and a line through inferior endplate of C7. Perpendiculars are constructed if required.
Normal:
35-45 degrees normal lordosis
What is this line of alignment?
The cervical line of gravity
Normal:
This line should just touch the anterior body of C7
General alignment of the wrist
- normal
- significance
1: Radioulnar articular line
2: Radial Shaft Line:
3: Radio-ulnar angle
Normal:
PA radioulnar Angles: average 83 (72-95)
Significance: Altered from a variety of fractures and pathologies.
What is this line of alignment?
Meyerdings Classification for grading of spondylolisthesis
Symphysis Pubis Width
- measured
- normal
- significance
Measured:
Distance between opposing articular surfaces.
Normal:
Male: 6mm average
Female: 5mm average
Significance: Widening due to dysplasia, trauma, HPT, inflammatory (AS, Reiter’s). Decrease DJD.
What is this line?
- significance
Kleins Line
Significance: if there is a failure of the femoral head to cut the line, then a slipped capital femoral epiphysis is suspected
Fergusons line
Measured:
Perpendicular line dropped from centre of L3.
Normal:
Should strike anterior margin or anterior 1⁄4 of sacral base.
Significance:
Variety of interruptions due to many pathologies. Spondylolisthesis.
Postural Compensation
McNabs Line
- measured
- normal
- significance
Measured:
Line drawn through inferior endplate at level to be evaluated. Relationships to superior articular process of vertebrae below is then assessed.
Normal:
Line should lie above tip of adjacent sup. Articular facet.
Significance: Facet Imbrication: Mechanical influence (on IVF) Postural considerations.
Increased shearing