Lumbopelvic region Flashcards

1
Q

What are the primary and secondary curvatures of the spine?

A

Primary: Kyphosis (thoracic & sacral)

Secondary: Lordosis (cervical & lumbar)

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2
Q

What is the lumbosacral angle?

A

130-160 degrees

the junction b/w the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine
- changes with increased/decreased lordosis or pelvic tilt

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3
Q

What are vertebral Endplates?

A

discs of hyaline cartilage that are remnants of the cartilaginous model from where the bone develops

touches the intervertebral discs and it is where they attach to

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4
Q

Which parts of the vertebra make up the vertebral arch?

A

2 pedicle
2 lamina
spinous process
vertebral body
superior/inferior facets

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5
Q

Describe the cervical vertebrae compared to the thoracic and lumbar

A

smallest bodies
largest canals
transverse foramen
bifid processes
facets slope upward toward nose

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6
Q

Describe the thoracic vertebrae compared to the cervical and lumbar

A

slightly larger bodies
long sloping spinous processes
costal facets
articular facets face anterior/posterior (frontal plane)

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7
Q

Describe the lumbar vertebrae compared to the cervical and lumbar

A

largest bodies
vertebral canal slightly larger than thoracic
transverse processes are largest
articular facets are located in sagittal plane (for flex/ext)
well innervated capsules around facet joints

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8
Q

What are some of the unique features of the intervertebral discs?

A

Anulus fibrosus:
- outer layer of the disc
- outer 1/3rd is innervated/vascularized
- less numerous layers posteriorly
- diagonal layers that resist rotational forces

Nucleus pulposus:
- gelatinous core
- sits more posteriorly in the disc
- avascular/aneural
- gets nutrition via diffusion

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9
Q

What are some structures that help hold the L5 vertebra on the S1 vertebra?
(prevent from slipping forward)

A
  • Iliolumbar ligament
  • L5/S1 facet joints (oriented b/w sagittal & frontal planes)
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10
Q

Define the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)

A
  • runs along anterior portion of the vertebral column
  • only one that resists extension
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11
Q

Define the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)

A
  • runs along the posterior side of vertebral column
  • resists flexion & posterior disc bulge
  • narrows as it travels down the vertebral column
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12
Q

Define the ligamentum flavum

A
  • yellow
  • runs from lamina to lamina
  • helps w/ return from flexion motions
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13
Q

Define the supraspinous ligament

A
  • runs over the tips of each spinous process (to C6)
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14
Q

Define the interspinous ligament

A
  • runs b/w spinous processes
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15
Q

Define the intertransverse ligament

A
  • runs t/w transverse processes
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16
Q

What are the layers of the Thoracolumbar Fascia?

A

Anterior TLF: in front of the QL and behind Psoas
Middle TLF: b/w QL & erector spinae
Posterior TLF: covers posterior erector spinae

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17
Q

What muscles does the Thoracolumbar fascia house?

A
  • Quadratus lumborum
  • transversospinalis group
  • erector spinae group
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18
Q

Which muscles contribute to lumbar stabilization?

A

-Psoas major/minor
- Quadratus Lumborum
- internal oblique & transverse abdominis

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19
Q

Name the extrinsic muscles of the back

A

Superficial
- trapezius
- latissimus dorsi
- levator scapula
- Rhomboids

Intermediate
- Serratus posterior superior/inferior

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20
Q

Name the intrinsic muscles of the back

A

Superficial
- splenius cervicis
- splenius capitis

Intermediate
- Erector spinae group

Deep
- Transversospinalis group

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21
Q

Name the muscles in the Erector spinae group

A

Most lateral
- Iliocostalis lumborum
- iliocostalis thoracis
- iliocostalis cervicis

Next medial
- Longissimus thoracis
- longissimus cervicis
- longissimus capitis (inserts @ mastoid process)

Most medial
- spinalis thoracis
- spinalis cervicis
- spinalis capitis

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22
Q

Name the muscles in the transversospinalis group

A

Posterior to multifidus
- semispinalis thoracis
- semispinalis cervicis
- semispinalis capitis

Multifidus

Anterior to multifidus
- Rotatores

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23
Q

What are the erector spinae muscles a part of and where do they attach to?

A
  • common broad tendon at the iliac crest, sacrum, SI ligaments, & lumbar/sacral spinous processes
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24
Q

Which muscles would be active for flexion of the trunk? (returning from an extended position)

A
  • rectus abdominis
  • psoas major
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25
Q

Which muscles would be active for extension of the trunk? (returning from a flexed position)

A
  • erector spinae group
  • multifidus
  • semispinalis
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26
Q

Which muscles would be active for side bending of the trunk? (returning from a side bent position)

A
  • abdominal obliques
  • quadratus lumborum
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27
Q

What muscles would be active for rotation of the trunk?

A
  • external oblique (contralateral) & transversospinalis muscles
  • internal oblique (ipsilateral) & erector spinae muscles
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28
Q

What do the outside recurrent meningeal nerves innervate?

A
  • anterolateral vertebral bodies & discs
  • periosteum
  • ALL
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29
Q

What do the inside recurrent meningeal nerves innervate?

A
  • periosteum (mainly posterior vertebral bodies, pedicles, laminae)
  • ligamentum flavum
  • posterior anulus
  • PLL
  • dura mater
  • blood vessels
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30
Q

Where does the spinal cord end?

A

L1 or L2
- depends on individual

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31
Q

What is a spinal cord segment?

A
  • a portion of the cord that gives rise to a bilateral pair of spinal nerves
  • named from where they arise from
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32
Q

How do nerve roots get out of the vertebral canal after the spinal cord ends?

A
  • exit b/w the vertebrae much lower than the actual spinal cord segment
  • spinal cord ends at the conus medullaris then splits into its own segments known as the cauda equina
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33
Q

Explain the relationship between a lumbar disc bulge and which spinal nerve root is affected

A
  • compression of the nerve root affects the root below the level of the disc bulge
  • EX: L4 bulging disc but compresses the L5 nerve root
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34
Q

Name the nerves in the lumbar plexus

A
  • Subcostal (T12)
  • Iliohypogastric (L1)
  • Ilioinguinal (L1)
  • Genitofemoral (G: L1; F: L2)
  • Lateral Femoral Cutaneous (L2-L3)
  • Femoral (L2-L4)
  • Obturator (L2-L4)
35
Q

Name the nerves in the sacral plexus

A
  • Sciatic (L4-S3)
  • Superior gluteal (L4-S1)
  • Inferior gluteal (L5-S2)
  • Nerve to piriformis (S1-S2)
  • Nerve to obturator internus (L5-S2)
  • Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4-L5)
  • Nerve to levator ani (S4)
  • Posterior femoral cutaneous (S1-S3)
  • Pudendal (S2-S4)
36
Q

What does the subcostal nerve innervate?

A
  • anterolateral wall
37
Q

What does the iliohypogastric nerve innervate?

A
  • abdominal muscles
  • sensory to skin of iliac crest, upper inguinal, and hypogastric region
38
Q

What does the ilioinguinal nerve innervate?

A
  • skin of lower inguinal region
  • skin to adjacent medial thigh
39
Q

What does the genitofemoral nerve innervate?

A
  • groin region
  • anterior thigh
40
Q

What does the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve innervate?

A
  • sensation to lateral thigh
41
Q

What does the femoral nerve innervate?

A
  • motor to quads in anterior thigh
42
Q

What does the obturator nerve innervate?

A
  • hip adductor muscles
  • pectineus
43
Q

What two nerves make up the sciatic nerve?

A
  • tibial nerve
  • common fibular nerve
44
Q

What does the superior gluteal nerve innervate?

A
  • motor to gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae
45
Q

What does the inferior gluteal nerve innervate?

A
  • motor to gluteus maximus
46
Q

What does the nerve to piriformis innervate?

A
  • piriformis
47
Q

What does the nerve to obturator internus innervate?

A
  • obturator internus
  • superior gemellus
48
Q

What does the nerve to quadratus femoris innervate?

A
  • quadratus femoris
  • inferior gemellus
49
Q

What does the nerve to levator ani innervate?

A
  • muscles of the levator ani
50
Q

What does the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve innervate?

A
  • sensory to uppermost medial and posterior surface of thigh
51
Q

What does the pudendal nerve innervate?

A
  • sensory to perineal & external genitalia
52
Q

What is Meralgia Paresthetica

A
  • impingement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that causes loss of sensation/paresthesia to lateral thigh
53
Q

Describe the arterial blood supply to the lumbar vertebrae

A

Lumbar arteries -> anterior, posterior, spinal branches

anterior branches -> to vertebral arteries

posterior branches -> vertebral arches

spinal branches->
1) radicular arteries to posterior spinal nerves
2) segmental medullary arteries to anterior roots of spinal nerves

54
Q

Describe the arterial blood supply to the spinal cord

A

Superior
vertebral arteries -> anterior & posterior spinal arteries

1) anterior spinal arteries -> sulcal arteries run off this into spinal cord (supplies 2/3rd of the spinal cord)
2) posterior spinal arteries

Lumbosacral
lumbar arteries -> spinal branches -> radicular & segmental medullary arteries

55
Q

What is spondylolisthesis & how does it happen?

A
  • a fracture of the “Pars interarticularis” b/w superior & inferior facets results in the sliding forward of a vertebra onto another one
  • usually because of lordosis
  • these facets allow flexion and extension so it is hard for them to stop this movement from happening
  • can compress spinal cord or cauda equina
56
Q

What are some of the effects of aging on lumbar vertebrae and discs?

A
  • growth stops b/w 18-25yrs old
  • decreased bone density & strength
  • vertebral end plates bow inward
  • osteophytes around vertebral body & zygaphophyseal joints
  • “spondylosis” = disease process of degeneration (normal)
57
Q

Describe the different types of stenosis in the vertebral column

A

Spinal: narrowing of the vertebral column
- “central stenosis”
- spinal cord compression from bony overgrowth, bulging discs, buckling longitudinal ligament

Foraminal: narrowing of intervertebral foramen
- nerve root compression from bony overgrowth, osteophytes, posterolateral disc bulges

58
Q

What is a disc bulge and how does it occur?

A
  • habitual actions cause the disc to protrude outward (usually posteriorly)
  • due to reduced lumbar lordosis & forces nucleus of disc further posterior
  • usually posterior laterally b/c PLL narrows as it descends the spinal cord allowing for posterior disc bulging to occur
  • tearing of anulus cause herniation of nucleus (L4/5 & L5/S1)
59
Q

Describe a laminectomy

A
  • removal of vertebral arches at laminae
  • can be unilateral or bilateral

Reason: to alleviate pressure on neural tissue from tumors, HNP, bony hypertrophy

  • PT is important after surgery to prevent scar tissue from adhering to neural tissue
60
Q

Describe a lumbar fusion

A
  • two or more vertebrae are fused together
  • arthrodesis: bone graft from pelvis or bone bank creates bridge b/w adjacent vertebrae
  • medal rods are used to fixate vertebrae until bone grows
  • no movement at site of fusion (so movement has to come from somewhere else)
61
Q

What is a strain?

A
  • stretching/microscopic tearing of muscle fibers

Cause: overly contracting or forceful stretching (erector spinae group vulnerable)

62
Q

What is a sprain?

A
  • injury to ligament or ligament attachment
  • no dislocation

Cause: excessive contractions or movements

63
Q

What is a spasm?

A
  • sudden involuntary contraction of muscle/group of muscles
  • protective mechanism after an injury/inflammation

EX: cramps, pain, involuntary movement

64
Q

What are the fibroskeletal structures of the spine that would contribute to low back pain if injured?

A
  • periosteum (fracture)
  • ligaments (dislocation)
  • anulus/PLL (Herniated nucleus pulposus [HNP])
  • localized pain
65
Q

What are the categories of innervated structures of the spine that can contribute to low back pain?

A
  • fibroskeletal
  • meninges
  • synovial joints
  • muscles
  • nervous tissue
66
Q

What causes synovial joint pain in the spine that could contribute to low back pain?

A
  • localized pain
  • aging
  • disease
  • degeneration
67
Q

What causes of muscle pain in the spine that could contribute to low back pain?

A
  • localized pain
  • spasms (from ischemia)
68
Q

What causes nervous tissue pain in the spine that could contribute to low back pain?

A
  • radicular pain ( in a dermatomal distribution)
69
Q

What is spinal bifida?

A
  • neural arches fail to develop normally & fuse posteriorly
70
Q

What is spinal bifida occulta?

A
  • hidden
  • minor form
  • dimple w/ tuft of hair
  • concealed by skin
71
Q

What is spinal bifida cystica?

A
  • severe: one or more vertebral aches fail to develop
  • meningocele = herniation of meninges
  • meningomyelocele = herniation of meninges & spinal cord
  • symptoms: LE paralysis, bowel dysfunction
72
Q

What deficits would you see with a spinal cord injury at the L2-3 level?

A
  • some quad function
  • NO lower leg function
73
Q

What deficits would you see with a spinal cord injury at the T10-L1 level?

A
  • some hip function
  • NO quads or lower leg function
74
Q

What deficits would you see with a spinal cord injury at the T1-9 level?

A
  • paraplegia
  • NO leg function
  • some trunk function lost depending upon thoracic level
75
Q

What deficits would you see with a spinal cord injury at the C6-8 level?

A
  • NO hand function
  • some arm function
  • still have shoulder function
76
Q

What deficits would you see with a spinal cord injury at the C4-5 level?

A
  • quadriplegia
  • still have partial diaphragm from C3 root
77
Q

What deficits would you see with a spinal cord injury at the C1-3 level?

A
  • no function below head level
  • no diaphragm
  • need ventilator
78
Q

What is an Innominate?

A
  • half of the pelvis
  • the group of bones that make up the pelvic girdle (illium, pubis, ishium)
79
Q

Why is the SI joint so stable?

A
  • there is an auricular surface that has roughed edges that fit together like puzzle pieces
  • along with ligaments that are attached to hold the SI joint together
80
Q

Describe the arterial supply to the pelvis

A

abdominal aorta -> common iliac arteries -> Internal & external iliac arteries
1) internal iliac -> anterior & posterior division
A) anterior division -> obturator, visceral, inferior gluteal arteries
B) posterior division -> iliolumbar, superior gluteal arteries

2) external iliac -> circumflex iliac, inferior epigastric, pubic branch
*exits under inguinal ligament then turns into femoral artery

81
Q

What happens to the SI joint & ligaments during late pregnancy?

A
  • “relaxin” hormone is released & allows ligaments to relax/lengthen

At the SI joint:
-causes lack of interlocking mechanism
-rotation of pelvis
-increased lumbar lordosis
- all can lead to pain and dysfunction

82
Q

What is sciatica and why does it occur?

A
  • usually pain along posterior thigh and leg (tension of nerve worsens symptoms

Causes:
- impingement of sciatic nerve roots at spinal level (bulging discs, foraminal stenosis, spondylosis
- impingement of sciatic nerves elsewhere (piriformis, entrapment along its course through the pelvis/thigh)

83
Q

What are weak areas in the pelvis?

A
  • pubic rami
  • acetabula
  • SI joint region
  • alae of Ilium