Movements of the Vertebral Column Flashcards
What sorts of movement is the vertebral column capable of?
Flexion
Rotation
Lateral flexion
Extension
What is the total range of movement possible?
250
140 extension
110 flexion
What is the greatest angle of extension possible by the thoracic spine
40
What is the greatest angle of flexion possible by the thoracic spine
45
What is the total angle of lateral flexion possible
75
What is the greatest angle of lateral flexion possible in the lumbar spine
20
Tiny movements between each vertebra result in a large flexion
What is the greatest angle of lateral flexion possible in the thoracic spine
20
Tiny movements between each vertebra result in a large flexion
What is the greatest angle of lateral flexion possible in the cervical spine
35
Tiny movements between each vertebra result in a large flexion
Degrees of rotation between sacrum and lumbar
5
Degrees of rotation between lumbar and thoracic
35
Degrees of rotation between thoracic and cervical
50
Degrees of rotation between cervical and skull
90-95
How does the vertebral column dictate movement
Articular joints and laminae shape and orientation dictates direction and range of possible movements
What kinds of joints are present in the vertebral column
Synovial joints between superior and inferior articular processes
Covered by synovial membrane and joint capsules
Function and structure of invertebrate discs
Allows for weight bearing, gliding, rocking movements for flexion and extension without injury during movement
Layer of strong but deformable tissue
Describe the structure of the invertebrate disc
Surrounded by anterior and posterior ligament
Intervertebral disc sandwiched inbetween cartilage end plate and epiphyseal ring
Nucleus pulpous surrounded by the annulus fibrosus
Symphysis, 2ndary cartilage, nutrients diffuse through cartilage
Structure of annulus fibrosus and function
Orientation of fibres are different in each layer
Act as shock absorbers to dissipate forces by increasing time taken to deform
Different grades of damage to disc
Grade 1, age 15-40, white, no problem
Grade 2, age 35-70, fibrous brown nucleus, just what happens in ageing
Degeneration
Grade 3, anulus bulges into nucleus, end plate damage
Grade 4, disruption to both end plates, reduced disc height and v pigmented
Describe the function and structure of the nucleus pulposus
Toothpaste consistency, 70% water
Cartilage and collagen T1
Fluid nature of pulp allows for deformation but volume can’t be compressed
When weight applied, reduction in height, exerts pressure on anulus
Describe the function and structure of the annulus fibrosus
Highly ordered lamellae (10-20), Collagen T1 Thick anterior, tightly packet posterior Attic structure => strength and resists deformation from NP and load from vertebral body Fibrocartilage
Describe the function and structure of the vertebral end plate
Hyaline cartilage, surround NP
Permeable barrier between NP and bone, water, nutrient diffusion
Prevent NP bulging into vertebral body
Describe the structure of the anterior longitudinal ligament (collagen T1)
Attached to occipital bone, down to upper sacrum, anterior surface of vertebrae
Longitudinal fibres fixed to IVD and margins of the vertebral body
Several fibre layers, deepest go from vertebra to vertebra
superficial extend over several
Describe the structure of the posterior longitudinal ligament (collagen T1)
Inside vertebral canal on posterior surface
Attaches from axis to sacrum on IVD and margins of vertebral body
Deepest fibres span single vertebra
Superficial layers span several vertebra
Describe the structure and function of the ligament flavum (v elastic)
Connects lamina of adjacent vertebrae from articular capsules to place where lamina joins spine with only a small gap between ligaments of each side
Permits separation of lamina during flexion but ensures that limits are not reached too quickly
Protects discs from injury
