Movement - back pain

Question 1

What does the back include?

Answer 1

Skin

Subcutaneous tissue

Vertebral column

Spinal cord and meninges

Ribs

Nerves and vessels

Muscles

Question 2

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

Answer 2

7

Question 3

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

Answer 3

12

Question 4

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

Answer 4

5

Question 5

How many sacral vertebrae are there?

Answer 5

5

Question 6

Intervertebral discs make up what length of the spine?

Answer 6

1/4

Question 7

What is the function of the red part of the bone (body)?

Answer 7

Weight bearing

Question 8

Which processes are shaded in purple?

Answer 8

Transverse

Question 9

Which process is shaded in pink?

Answer 9

Spinous process

Question 10

What are the green shaded areas of the vertebrae?

Answer 10

Articular facets:

2 superior and 2 inferior

Question 11

What is the dark blue shaded area of the vertebra?

Answer 11

The pedicles of the vertebral arch

Question 12

What is the light blue shaded area of the vertebra?

Answer 12

The laminae of the vertebral arch

Question 13

The spinal nerves pass through the _____

Answer 13

Intervertebral foramen formed by the superior and inferior vertebral notches of the adjacent vertebrae and the intervertebral disc

Question 14

The vertebral artery and vein pass through all cervical vertebra except ___

Answer 14

C7

Question 15

Why might subluxation not compress the spinal cord?

Answer 15

Because the vertebral foramen are relatuvely wide - however they are prone to dislocation due to flat articular facets

Question 16

What is the distinguishing feature of C2?

Answer 16

The Odontoid process (a.k.a the dens) - it prevents horizontal displacement of the atlas

Question 17

What causes fracture of the Dens?

Answer 17

The bone of the dens is less dense, so is prone to fracture - this can be caused by hyperextension or hyperflexion

Question 18

What is the name of the joint between the head of the rib with the superior demifacet of the corresponding vertebra and the inferior demifacet of the vertebra above?

Answer 18

Costovertebral joint

Question 19

What are the main differences between cervical vertebrae and lumbar veretbrae?

Answer 19

Cervical vertebrae have a small body with articular facets that are directed superioposteriorly (superior) and infero-anteriorly (inferior). The spinous processes are BIFID.

Lumbar vertebrae have a large vertebral body, superior articular facets facing medially and inferior articular facets facing laterally. Spinous processes are short and sturdy.

Question 20

What joints hold vertebrae together?

Answer 20

Zygapophysial joints, along with intevertebral discs and ligaments

Occur between superior and inferior articular articular processes of adjacent vertebrae

Question 21

What is annulus fibrosis?

Answer 21

Fibrocartilage ring attached to epiphysial rim of the vertebral body

Question 22

What is the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 22

Gelatinous substance that acts as a shock absorber

Question 23

What is the purpose of the ligamentum flavum?

Answer 23

Binds lamina of adjacent vertebrae

Question 24

Which ligaments resists hyperextension of the vertebral column, whilst all others resist hyperflexion?

Answer 24

The anterior longitudinal ligament - runs from occipital bone and C1 to sacrum

Question 25

What is whiplash?

Answer 25

Hyperextension of cervical neck

Question 26

What causes whiplash?

Answer 26

Tearing of the anterior lonitudinal ligament

Question 27

Osteoporosis, which is common in post-menopausal females, is caused by what?

Answer 27

Loss of trabeculae, which leads to compression fractures

Question 28

Loss of bone density with age leads to what?

Answer 28

Concave vertebral bodies - this puts increased pressure on rims of vertebrae and osteophytes develop in response

Question 29

What is a slipped disc?

Answer 29

Herneation of nucleus pulposus - can compress spinal cerve roots leading to lower back pain or sciatica