Relevant anatomy of back and spinal cord

Question 1

What two main groups can we divide the back muscles into?

Answer 1

Extrinsic

Intrinsic

Question 2

Describe the attachment and function of extrinsic back muscles

Answer 2

Attach the back to the upper limb/pectoral girdle

Move the upper limb

Question 3

Name the extrinsic back muscles (5)

Answer 3

• Trapezius (extends superiorly into the neck to attach to the occipital bone)
• Latissimus dorsi
• Levator scapulae (extends superiorly into the neck to attach to cervical vertebrae)
• 2 x Rhomboids (major & minor)

Question 4

Describe the function and location of intrinsic back muscles

Answer 4

Located entirely within the back
Maintain back posture
Move the spine (vertebral column)

Question 5

Name the 2 main groups of intrinsic back muscles

Answer 5

Erector spinae (superficial)
Transversospinalis (deep)

Question 6

Which back muscle may be strained in “low back pain”

Answer 6

Erector spinae

Question 7

Describe erector spinae

• arrangement
• location
• attachments

Answer 7

• 3 vertically arrangement muscle groups
• just lateral to spine
• ALL muscle fibres attach inferiorly to a common tendon
• Individual muscle fibres attach (via tendon) superiorly to either…
  1. a rib - between rib angles and tubercles
  2. a transverse process of a vertebra
  3. a spinous process of a vertebra

Question 8

Describe transversospinalis

• location
• attachments

Answer 8

Skeletal muscle which is located within the deep grooves between the transverse and spinous processes

• individual muscle fibres attach between…
• a vertebra and the skull
• a vertebra and a rib
• one vertebra and another
• the sacrum and a vertebra

Question 9

What movement is back extension?

Answer 9

Leaning backwards

Question 10

What movement is back flexion?

Answer 10

Leaning forwards

Question 11

What muscles are tonically active during maintenance of posture

Answer 11

Erector spinae and transversospinalis

Question 12

What set of muscles are involved in back extension?

Answer 12

Intrinsic back muscles

Question 13

How many vertebrae and of what type are there in the adult vertebral column?

Answer 13

33 vertebrae in total
7 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
4 coccygeal

Question 14

Name the curvatures of the spine

Answer 14

Cervical lordosis
Thoracic kyphosis
Lumbar lordosis
Sacral kyphosis

Question 15

Functions of the spine (3)

Answer 15

Support
Protect
Allow movement

Question 16

Describe the protection of the spinal cord and nerves

Answer 16

• vertebral foraminae combine to form the vertebral canal for the spinal cord
• intervertebral foraminae for the spinal nerves

Question 17

Describe a typical vertebra…

Answer 17

Spinous process at top
Inferior and superior articular processes either side of this
Transverse process looking like wings on either side of the spinous process
Vertebral foramen formed under the peduncle and lamina
Vertebral body inferiorly attaching to the peduncles on either side

Question 18

Describe the intervertebral foramen

Answer 18

Form between adjacent nerves

Spinal nerves emerge here

Question 19

Describe a facet joint

Answer 19

acet joint
between articular processes of 2 adjacent vertebrae
affected by arthritis
pain signals transmitted via posterior rami