Muscles of the Trunk and Spine Flashcards
What are the 4 major movements of the spine?
Flexion
Extension
Axial Rotation
Lateral Flexion
What is flexion of the spine?
Bending forwards
What is extension of the spine?
Bending backwards
What is axial rotation of the spine?
Twisting
What is lateral flexion of the spine?
Stretching to the side
What are the five regions of the vertebral column?
Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Coccygeal
Where is the cervical region of the vertebral column?
Neck
Where is the thoracic region of the vertebral column?
Upper and middle back
Where is the lumbar region of the vertebral column?
Lower back
Where is the sacral region of the vertebral column?
Pelvis
Where is the coccygeal region of the vertebral column?
Very bottom of the vertebral column
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
Seven
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
Twelve
How many lumbar vertebrae are there?
Five
How many sacral vertebrae are there?
One bone consisting of five fused vertebrae
How many coccygeal vertebrae are there?
One bone consisting of usually four fused vertebrae
What asana creates flexion of the spine?
Forward bends eg. Paschimottanasana
What asana creates extension of the spine?
Back bends eg. Ustrasana
What asana creates axial rotation of the spine?
Twists eg. Parivrtta Anjaneyasana
What asana creates lateral flexion of the spine?
Lateral flexing poses eg. Parighasana
What is the primary curve?
The thoracic and sacral curvatures of the spine formed in the womb
What asana create a primary curve?
Balasana and forward bends
What is a prolapsed disc?
This is where the nucleus pulposus bulges out through a weakness in the outer part of the intervertebral disc
How does a prolapsed disc effect asana practice?
Standing twists such as Parivrtta Anjaneyasana, should be avoided as disc related injuries are most likely to occur when there is flexion paired with axial rotation. Lateral flexing postures are not advised as this movement increases pressure on the spinal discs.
If acute, back bends are contraindicated as they cause too much compression in the spine.
What is sciatica?
Nerve root pain of the sciatic nerve, caused by a prolapsed disc pressing on the sciatic nerve
What is scoliosis?
Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine to either left or right
What is osteoporosis?
An age related disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and increased susceptibility to fractures
What is osteoarthritis?
The most common form of arthritis it includes loss of cartilage, overgrowth of bone and the formation of bone spurs.
What is hyperlordosis?
The inward curve of the spine is exaggerated (sway back)
What is hyperkyphosis?
The outward curve of the spine is exaggerated (hump back)
How does sciatica effect asana practice?
Forward folds are contraindicated as they take the lumbar spine out of its natural position.
Lateral flexion postures are also contraindicated as they place too much pressure on lumbosacral area.
If acute, back bends should not be practiced due to the increased compression of the lumbar spine.
