Lumbar Spine Flashcards
What region in the vertebral column is the lumbar spine?
Third region
Where is the lumbar spine located?
Located in the lower back between thoracic and sacral vertebral segments
How many vertebrae make up the lumbar spine?
5 distinct vertebrae
What are the different joints in the lumbar spine?
- Between vertebral bodies
- Between vertebral arches
What are the joints that are between the vertebral bodies?
Adjacent vertebral bodies are joined by intervertebral discs made of fibrocartilage. Symphysis
What are the joints between the vertebral arches?
Formed by articulation of superior and inferior processes of adjacent vertebrae. Synovial type joint
What are facet joints?
Joints in spine that make back flexible. Nerves exit your spinal cord through these joints
What prevents anterior displacement of vertebrae?
Facet joints and a number of ligaments
What importance does the orientation of the facet joints have?
Orientation of facet joints determine the amount of flexion, extension and rotation is permitted
How are the facet joints orientated in the lumbar spine?
Facet joints are orientated at 45 degrees therefore allows easy flexion and extension but less movement in rotation
What are the intervertebral discs made of?
70% water, 20% collagen, 10% proteoglycan
What are the features of proteoglycans?
Hydrophilic
Why do we lose height with age?
Repair of proteoglycans is less so chains get smaller and less hydrophillic so we lose water
