MSK 12 - The back, the vertebral column, and the musculature

Question 1

what two things does the intervertebral discs allow

Answer 1

flexibility and stability

Question 2

what parts of the spine has a primary curvature

Answer 2

thoracic and sacral

Question 3

what parts of the spine has a secondary curvature

Answer 3

cervical and lumbar spine

Question 4

describe the curve of the different parts of the spine

Answer 4

cervical = anteriorly convex

thoracic = anteriorly concave

lumbar = anteriorly convex

Question 5

what is a primary curvature of the spine

Answer 5

as babies we are born with a anteriorly concaved thoracic spine and this does not change as we grow - however your secondary curves have developed from the anteriorly concaved curve to fit the movement needs

eg baby lifting head = cspine curve backwards and bipedalism needs centre of gravity shifted so lumbar spine develops into secondary curve

Question 6

what are the 3 abnormal spine curvatures

Answer 6

scoliosis

kyphosis

lordosis

Question 7

what does the laminae of a vertebrae do

Answer 7

protect the spinal cord

Question 8

what do the articular processes articulate with

Answer 8

the superior/inferior articular processes above/below

Question 9

what are the two parts of the intervertebral disc

Answer 9

annulus fibrosis

nucleus pulposus

Question 10

what is the structure of the annulus fibrosis

Answer 10

layers of collagen that changes direction as you go through the layers (orthoganal)

Question 11

why are the collagen layers of the annulus fibrosis oriented orthogonally

Answer 11

so that no matter what way you twist the rings some will be in tension and resist that

Question 12

what are the 3 main substances in the nucleus pulposus

Answer 12

glycoproteins
hyaluronic acids
proteoglycans

Question 13

what pressure do the vertebral bodies exert on the annulus pulposus

Answer 13

hydraulic pressure doesnt allow bones to get any closer then they are

Question 14

what are the 5 ligaments of the vertebral column

Answer 14

anterior longitudinal ligament
posterior longitudinal ligament
ligamentum flavum
interspinous ligament
supraspinous ligament

Question 15

what are the 3 continuous longitudinal ligaments of the vertebral column and what does this mean

Answer 15

longitudinal ligaments are ones that run from c spine to l spine

anterior longitudinal ligament
posterior longitudinal ligament
supraspinous ligament

Question 16

what does the ligamentum flavum do

Answer 16

store energy extending and flexing and brings the neck back to anatomical position

Question 17

where does the anterior longitudinal ligament run

Answer 17

along the anterior of the vertebral bodies down the whole spine

Question 18

where does the posterior longitudinal ligament run

Answer 18

in the posterior of the vertebral bodies down the spinal column

between the two pedicles

Question 19

where does ligamentum flavum run

Answer 19

on the posterior surface of the spinal canal between the vertebrae

Question 20

where does the interspinous ligaments run

Answer 20

vertically between the spinous processes

Question 21

where does supraspinous ligament run

Answer 21

at the posterior tips of the spinous processes

Question 22

what are the 4 muscles of the back - superficial

Answer 22

latissimus dorsi
trapezius
rhomboids major and minor
levator scapulae

Question 23

what is the main function of the superficial back muscles and are they intrinsic/extrinsic

Answer 23

appendicular function

extrinsic

Question 24

what are the 2 muscles of the back - intermediate

Answer 24

serratus posterior superior
serratus posterior inferior

Question 25

what is the main function of the intermediate back muscles and are they intrinsic/extrinsic

Answer 25

extrinsic

respiratory function

Question 26

what does serratus posterior superior do

Answer 26

lifts ribs up for inspiration

Question 27

what does serratus posterior inferior do

Answer 27

pulls ribs down for exhalation

Question 28

where is the origin and insertion of the serratus posterior muscles

Answer 28

origin = ribs
insertion = spinous processes

Question 29

what are the 4 muscles of the back - deep

Answer 29

iliocostalis
longissimus
spinalis
multifidus

Question 30

what is the main function of the deep back muscles and are they intrinsic/extrinsic

Answer 30

intrinsic

positions spine and holds it upright

Question 31

where is the origin and insertions of the spinalis muscle

Answer 31

origin = spinous process of lower vertebrae
insertion = spinous processes of upper vertebrae

Question 32

where is the origin and insertions of the longissimus muscle

Answer 32

origin = spinous processes of lumbar and sacral vertebrae

insertion = thoracic vertebrae transvers processes and ribs

Question 33

where is the origin and insertions of the iliocostalis muscle

Answer 33

origin = sacrum, sacral spinous process, ilium and pelvic girdle

insertion = lower 6 ribs #7-12

Question 34

what are the 3 erector spinae muscles and what do they do

Answer 34

spinalis
longissimus
iliocostalis

holds spine from being flexed forwards

Question 35

where is the origin and insertions of the multifidus muscle

Answer 35

origin = transverse processes (then skips a couple of vertebrae)
insertion = spinous processes

Question 36

going down the spine what happens to the degree of flexibility and movement

Answer 36

decreases

Question 37

which rami do the spinal nerves emerge out of if they go on to innervate the intrinsic back muscles?

Answer 37

posterior ramifications

Question 38

which rami do the spinal nerves emerge out of if they go on to innervate the intervertebral discs?

Answer 38

rami communicans

Question 39

What is the branch of the spinal nerve that comes off the anterior rami and doubles back around to the intervertebral foramen

what does it innervate

Answer 39

meningeal branches of the spinal nerve

innervates the meninges, joints, periosteum and posterior intervertebral disc

Question 40

what is special about the innervation of the intervertebral discs and how does this link to their clinical significance

Answer 40

the vertebral discs are innervated by sympathetic ganglion of the sympathetic trunk which can run up or down the vertebral column

this means that the spinal nerve can get nerve supply from the intervertebral disc from both above and below its level. Clinically this can account for the difficulty in localizing back pain