Palpation Flashcards
C1 - posterior tubercle of atlas
Just beneath post border of foramen magnum –
within the small depression
C2 - SP
Below the small depression – prominent spinous
process. Slightly flex and ext pt’s head
Transverse process of atlas (C1)
In the space between the ramus of the mandible
and the SCM. Very prominent
Transverse process of axis (C2)
Behind or in front of the SCM at the angle of the
mandible. Not that prominent
Transverse process of C3 to C7
Between SCM and trapezius
Articular Process
Thumb and next 3 fingers to press cx trapezius
forward to make contact with the articular
processes. Use the other hand to LF head from
side to side.
Spinous process of C7
- Most prominent
- Not bifid
Spinous process of C6
- Immediately above C7
- Rotate head from side to side to feel C6 move
beneath your finger
DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN C6, C7 & T1
In extension
- C6 disappears,
- C7 is displaced and
- T1 remains immobile
In rotation
- Marked movt at C6,
- Slight movt at C7
- And no movt at T1
FIRST RIB
- Push back superior fibres of trapezius
spinal landmark -C2 body
- the angle of the mandible
spinal landmark -C3 body
- the hyoid bone
spinal landmark -C4/C5 disc
- the thyroid cartilage
spinal landmark -C6 body
- the cricoid cartilage and tubercle
spinal landmark -T1 Spinous process
- Craniomedial (superinternal)
angle of the scapula
spinal landmark -T3 Spinous process
- Medial extremity of the
spine of the scapula
spinal landmark -T7 Spinous process
- Inferior angle of the
scapula
spinal landmark -Transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae
- Medial to costal angle and about 2 fingers widths
laterally to the spinous processes
spinal landmark -Costovertebral joints
where the rib meets the
vertebrae
spinal landmark -L4/5 IVD
- Hands on the iliac crest, thumbs fall
naturally slightly ahead of your palms
they point towards L4/L5 IVD
spinal landmark -L4 spinous process
- If thumbs are placed on the same plane
as you palms they point towards the L4
spinous process
spinal landmark -L3 vertebrae
- Belly button or waist
spinal landmark -PSIS
- Just caudal and lateral to dimples
- In line with S2
palpation of lx spine
sweating, temp, ST, bony tissue
BEIGHTON SCORE
- One point if while standing forward bending you can place palms on the ground with
legs straight - One point for each elbow that bends backwards
- One point for each knee that bends backwards
- One point for each thumb that touches the forearm when bent backwards
- One point for each little finger that bends backwards beyond 90 degrees
- A higher score indicates greater joint flexibility
- A score of four or less is considered normal for adults
- A score of five or more is considered abnormal for adults
