OSCE 2 - Postures and Planes

Question 1

Coronal/ Frontal Plane

Answer 1

passing longitudinally through
body from one side to the other
dividing the body into anterior and
posterior portions

Question 2

Sagittal Plane

Answer 2

passing
longitudinally through the body from
front to back and dividing it into right
and left portions (transverse axis; right-left axis)

Question 3

Transverse/ Horizontal Plane –

Answer 3

passing horizontally through
the body dividing it into upper and
lower portions (longitudinal axis; superior-inferior axis)

Question 4

Lateral flexion

Answer 4

– movement in a coronal/ frontal
plane about an anterior-posterior axis, sidebending
left/right

Question 5

flexion/ extension

Answer 5

• Flexion – forward motion in a sagittal plane of the
spine, about a transverse axis, forward bending
• Extension – backward motion in a sagittal plane of
the spine about a transverse axis, backward
bending

Question 6

rotation

Answer 6

– movement in a transverse plane about a
superior inferior axis, also a term used for motion
about an axis, circular or twisting

Question 7

Gravitational line

Answer 7

In viewing the patient from the side, an
imaginary line in a coronal plane which
starts at or slightly anterior to the lateral
malleolus, passes across the lateral condyle
of the knee, the greater trochanter, through
the lateral head of the humerus at the tip of
the shoulder to the external auditory
meatus. If plane is through the body, would
intersect body of third lumbar vertebra (L3)
(or L2), and anterior sacrum.

Question 8

posture - def, types of symmetry

Answer 8

Position of the body, distribution
of body mass in relation to gravity
- Static/structural Symmetry
• Dynamic/Functional

Question 9

postural compensation

Answer 9

Structural compensation allows function even with
musculoskeletal imbalances
-genetic
-trauma
-habitual activity

Question 10

Postural Decompensation; plane affected and name

Answer 10

Distribution of body mass away from ideal
when postural homeostatic mechanisms are
overwhelmed, occurs in all planes.
• Failure of the body to align
• Which plane affected?
o Coronal – scoliosis
o Horizontal – rotation
o Sagittal – kyphosis/lordosis

Question 11

kyphosis

Answer 11

Normal AP curve of the thoracic
spine with concavity anteriorly and convexity
posteriorly

Question 12

lordosis

Answer 12

Normal anterior convexity in the curvature of the

lumbar and cervical spine as viewed from the side

Question 13

scoliosis

Answer 13

structural/ pathological/ functional
- Lateral curvature in the coronal/ frontal
plane can create a C or S shaped deviation

Question 14

postural variations - frontal

Answer 14

C type
o S type
o Trap hypertonicity
o Rt handedness
o Lt Handedness

Question 15

postural variations - sagittal

Answer 15

kypholordotic
o Swayback
o Flat back
o Military
o Ant deviation
o Post deviation
o Rotary

Question 16

kypholordotic

Answer 16

Head forward
o Exaggerated kyphosis/lordosis
o Ant pelvic shift
o Abdomen anterior
hips slightly flexed

Question 17

Swayback

Answer 17

Head forward
o Decreased lumbar lordosis
o Post tilt of pelvis

Question 18

Flat back

Answer 18

Head forward
o Lower thoracic kyphosis flattening
o Lumbar lordosis flattened

Question 19

Pectus excavatum

Answer 19

Funnel Chest
• Abnormally depressed
lower sternum
• Compression of
structures

Question 20

Pectus carinatum

Answer 20

Pigeon Chest
• Abnormal prominence
of sternum anteriorly
• AP diameter increased

Question 21

osteopathic postural examination - definition, patient position

Answer 21

The part of the Osteopathic musculoskeletal
examination that focuses on the static and
dynamic responses of the body to gravity
while in the erect position.
• Patient stands on a level surface, without
shoes. All extremities should be in full
extension. The feet are placed 6-8 inches
apart with the heels in the same frontal
plane and the toes abducted about 15
degrees.