Spinal Anatomy

Question 1

what is the function of the spine?

Answer 1

to provide movement, support, and protection

Question 2

what are the 5 regions of the spine?

Answer 2

cervical region, thoracic region, lumbar region, sacrum, coccyx

Question 3

describe the cervical region

Answer 3

C1-C7 vertebral bodies

supports the weight of the head

Question 4

describe the thoracic region

Answer 4

T1-T12 protects the organs of the chest

limited range of motion

Question 5

describe the lumbar region

Answer 5

L1-L5 bears the weight of the body

Question 6

describe the sacrum

Answer 6

5 fused vertebrae

provides attachment for the hip bones and protects pelvic organs

Question 7

describe the coccyx

Answer 7

4 fused bones without function

Question 8

spinal balance

Answer 8

comes from the sagittal curves so that the body can stay upright and provide support for the weight of the head, body, and forces of gravity

Question 9

lordosis

Answer 9

the natural curve in the cervical region and lumbar region when viewed laterally

Question 10

kyphosis

Answer 10

the natural curve of the thoracic region (opposite lordosis)

Question 11

vertebral body

Answer 11

anterior facing, designed to bear weight and withstand compression

Question 12

posterior elements of the vertebra

Answer 12

multiple processes designed as points for soft tissue attachments
pedicle, lamina, transverse process, inferior articular process, superior articular process, spinous process

Question 13

facet joints

Answer 13

each vertebra has two sets of facet joints
one pair faces upward (superior facet), one pair faces downward (inferior facet)
one joint on each side left and right
facet joints are hinge-like and link vertebra together located at the back of the spine (posterior)

Question 14

facet joints allow motion of what kinds?

Answer 14

flexion - bending forward
extension - bending backward
twisting motion

Question 15

spinous process

Answer 15

each vertebra has a protrusion on its backside called the spinous process
it extends backward and slightly downward
this is where the ligaments and muscles attach to the vertebra

Question 16

C7 characteristics

Answer 16

The 7th vertebra in the cervical region

it has the most prominent spinous process and is what you feel when you touch the back of your neck

Question 17

thoracic vertebra characteristics

Answer 17

vertebral body is heart-shaped
presence of superior / inferior costal facets of the sides
the spinous processes are long and slant downward which offers increased protection to the spinal cord preventing something like a knife from entering the spinal cord

Question 18

lumbar spine characteristics

Answer 18

L1-L5 largest in the spinal column
Designed to be incredibly strong, protecting the highly sensitive spinal cord and spinal nerve roots
Highly flexible providing for mobility in many different planes including flexion, extension, side bending and rotation
Most people have 5 vertebra in the lumbar spine but it is not unusual to have 6
Vertebral bodies are large and kidney shaped

Question 19

sacrum characteristics

Answer 19

lies between L5 and the coccyx
triangular shaped bone consists of 5 segments fused together
the first 3 vertebra come together to form a wing called alae
this area of the spine is subject to a lot of stress and twisting which can lead to injury

Question 20

coccyx characteristics

Answer 20

most caudal portion of the spinal column
contains 4 or 5 bones that are typically fused
functionally insignificant

Question 21

spinal nerves

Answer 21

there are 31 spinal nerves, the cervical region has 8 nerves, thoracic 12 and lumbar 5

Question 22

nerve injury

Answer 22

injury to the spinal cord will often be permanent
injury to the nerve roots or cauda equina usually have a much better prognosis
typically a spinal injury is classified as complete or incomplete

Question 23

complete lesions

Answer 23

characterized by a total loss of motor, sensory and reflex functions below the level of injury
complete cord injuries are named by the last functioning nerve root

Question 24

incomplete lesions

Answer 24

some function

Question 25

Grade A Complete Neurologic injury

Answer 25

no motor or sensory function detected below level of lesion

Question 26

Grade B Preserved sensation only

Answer 26

no motor function detected below level of lesion, some sensory function preserved

Question 27

Grade C preserved motor, nonfunctional

Answer 27

some voluntary motor function but too weak to serve any useful purpose, sensation may or may not be preserved

Question 28

Grade D preserved motor functional

Answer 28

functionally useful voluntary motor function below level of injury

Question 29

Grade E normal motor function

Answer 29

normal motor and sensory function below the level of lesion

abnormal reflexes may persist