Posture and locomotion Flashcards
What are the major differences between the upper and lower limb?
- Rotation of lower limb in relation to anatomical position allows foot to be plantigrade.
- Pelvic girdle is fixed while pectoral girdle is mobile.
- There is movement between radius and ulna but tibia and fibula are fixed.
- There is substantial independent movement of the fingers but toe movement is limited.
What are the functions of the vertebral column?
- Protects spinal cord and nerves
- Supports weight of body above pelvis
- Provides axis for body ad pivot for head rotation
- Important role in posture and locomotion
- Acts as shock absorber
What is the primary curvature of spine?
Kyphosis: Concave anteriorly (present in thoracic and sacral region)
What are the secondary curvatures of the spine?
Lordosis: Concave posteriorly:
- Cervical region supports biocular vision
- Lumbar region supports upright posture
What are the structural features of a vertebrae?
- Body (support)
- Neural arch (protection of spinal cord)
What are the structural features of the neural arch?
- Pedicle (lateral)
- Lamina (posterior)
- Transverse processes
- Spinous process
- Superior aticulating facets
- Inferior articulating facets
What type of joints are formed by the intervertebral discs?
Secondary cartilaginous joints
What is the structure of an intervertebral disc?
- The centre if the disc consists of the nucleus propulsus (remnant of the notochord).
- Nucleus is surrounded by concentric rings of firocartilage forming the anulus fibrosis.
- The intervertebral discs are connected to their corresponding cartilages via the anterior/posterior longitudinal ligaments.
What is the function of the nucleus pulposus?
Acts as shock absorber
What is a prolapsed disc?
Nucleus pulposus protrudes through a weakened anulus fibrosis. This may compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves.
What is the most common form of a prolapsed disc?
- Lower lumbar region
- Posterlateral prolapse
What are the features of a cervical vertebrae?
- Large triangular vertebral foraman
- Small body
- Bifid spine
- Transverse process with foraman transversarium
- Oblique articular facet
What are the features of a thoracic vertebrae?
- Small circular vertebral foraman
- Demifacts on body (for ribs)
- Long spinous process
- Transverse process (with facet for ribs)
- Articular facets on arc for circle
What are the features of a lumbar vertebrae?
- Small triangular vertebral foraman
- Large body
- Thick spinous process
- Large transverse process
- Interlocking articular facets
Where is the centre of gravity located?
3 cm in front of the second sacral vertebrae