Muscles of the Back

Question 1

4 superficial back muscles

Answer 1

Trapezius
Latissimus dorsi
Rhomboids (major and minor)
Levator scapulae

Question 2

3 functions of the deep back muscles

Answer 2

Extend vertebral column
Side flex vertebral column
Control flexion of vertebral column

Question 3

How many vertebrae are there in the spine?

Answer 3

33

Question 4

Primary vs secondary curvatures

Answer 4

Primary: present in fetus (thoracic and sacral)
Secondary: develop after birth (cervical and lumbar)

Question 5

3 parts of the erector spinae muscle

Answer 5

Iliocostalis
Longissimus
Spinalis

Question 6

Iliocostalis

Answer 6

Most lateral part of erector spinae
Bilaterally: extension of the spine
Unilaterally: lateral flexion of vertebral column

Question 7

Longissimus

Answer 7

Medial to iliocostalis
Bilaterally: extension of vertebral column
Unilaterally: lateral flexion of the spine, head and neck

Question 8

Spinalis

Answer 8

Most medial part of the erector spinae
Inserts into the spinous processes of T and C vertebrae (not atlas)
Bilaterally: extension of vertebral column
Unilaterally: lateral flexion of the spine, head and neck

Question 9

2 muscles that extend head and neck

Answer 9

Splenius

Semispinalis (deep to splenius)

Question 10

Splenius and semispinalis functions

Answer 10

Extend head and neck (bilateral)

Rotate head to the same side (unilateral action)

Question 11

Suboccipital triangle muscles functions

Answer 11

Mainly postural muscles, but also move the head
Connect C1 and C2 with the base of the skull
Often injured in a whiplash

Question 12

Atlas

Answer 12

C1
No body or spinous process
Has facets that the condyles of the occipital bone rest on

Question 13

Axis

Answer 13

C2
Bifid spinous process
Some remnant of the vertebral body
Has dens

Question 14

Dens

Answer 14

Odontoid process

Articulation point between C1 and C2

Question 15

Yes joint vs No joint

Answer 15

Yes: Skull sits on atlas and rocks anteriorly/posteriorly
No: Atlas rotates on axis

Question 16

How many spinal nerves are there? How many in each section?

Answer 16

31 total
8 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral 
1 coccygeal

Question 17

Conus medullaris

Answer 17

L1/L2 level where the spinal cord ends

Question 18

Cauda equina

Answer 18

Bundle of roots of the lumbar and sacral spinal nerves and the filum terminale

Question 19

Filum terminale

Answer 19

In the cauda equina

Anchors the spinal cord to the sacrum

Question 20

3 meninges

Answer 20

Dura mater
Arachnoid
Pia mater

Question 21

Laminectomy

Answer 21

Cuts are made in the laminae of the thoracic and lumbar vetebrae
Removes the spinous processes