Spinal Anatomy (Rich's)

Question 1

pivot prone

Answer 1

position adopted at 5 months age. Only mid/lower trunk in contact with ground

Question 2

What are the 2 1º curves?

Answer 2

Thoracic (T2-T12) & Sacro-coccygeal kyphoses

Question 3

What are the 2 2º curves?

Answer 3

Cervical & lumbar lordoses

Question 4

6 functions of spinal column

Answer 4

“… ain’t no MaTCh for SPinach BM’s & aSParagus Pee …”

• MTC: Attachment for Muscles & Thoracic cage
• S&P: Stabilizes Shoulder & Pelvic girdles
• BM: Contributes to Balance & Motion
• SP: Encases & protects Spinal Cord
• P: Maintains upright Posture“… ain’t no MaTCh for SPinach BM’s & aSParagus Pee …”
• MTC: Attachment for Muscles & Thoracic cage
• S&P: Stabilizes Shoulder & Pelvic girdles
• BM: Contributes to Balance & Motion
• SP: Encases & protects Spinal Cord
• P: Maintains upright Posture“… ain’t no MaTCh for SPinach BM’s & aSParagus Pee …”
• MTC: Attachment for Muscles & Thoracic cage
• S&P: Stabilizes Shoulder & Pelvic girdles
• BM: Contributes to Balance & Motion
• SP: Encases & protects Spinal Cord
• P: Maintains upright Posture

Question 5

A spinal segment is composed of …

Answer 5

2 adjacent vertebrae w/ intervening disc, spinal facet joints, & ligaments, nerves, & muscles

Question 6

What connects vertebral body to TP?

Answer 6

Pedicle

Question 7

What connects SP to TP?

Answer 7

Lamina

Question 8

What direction do lumbar superior articular processes face?

Answer 8

Medially, and slightly posterior

Question 9

What is the Pars Interarticularis between?

Answer 9

Superior & Inferior articular processes

Question 10

How is the Annulus Fibrosus constructed?

Answer 10

Concentric layered rings of fibrous material, with diagonally alternating fiber directions. Helps contain the Nucleus

Question 11

Nucleus Pulposus

Answer 11

Hydrophilic gelatinous stuff in center of disc. Has “toothpaste consistancy” according to Stuart McGill (randon trivia).

Question 12

3 functions of the disc

Answer 12

1. Force dissipation, 2. Shock absorption, 3. Allows movement

Question 13

Facet (zygoapophyseal) joints

Answer 13

Posterior joints of the spine. 2 per segment (except sacrum). Synovial, 3 DOF.

Question 14

Vertebral body/disc

Answer 14

Anterior joint of the spine

Question 15

Which spinal joints are WB?

Answer 15

Vertebral body and facet joints

Question 16

In what plane are lumbar facet joints?

Answer 16

Close to Sagittal

Question 17

In what plane are Thoracic facet joints?

Answer 17

Close to Frontal

Question 18

What direction do Thoracic superior articular facets face?

Answer 18

Posteriorly, and a little lateral

Question 19

SI joints

Answer 19

transfer weight from HAT segment to LE’s

Question 20

Pubic symphysys

Answer 20

Fibrocartilaginous joint, completes pelvis ring for pelvis stability.

Question 21

In what direction do S1 superior articular facets face?

Answer 21

Posteriorly

Question 22

Ant Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 22

Covers ant surface of vert bodies from C2 to sacrum. Broadest in lumbar, tapers superiorly.

Question 23

Post Longitundinal Ligament

Answer 23

Cover post vert bodies, C2-sacrum. Thinner in Lumbar, widest cervically

Question 24

Ligamentum Flavum

Answer 24

Posterior, connects adjacent Laminae

Question 25

Interspinous ligament

Answer 25

Connects adjacent SPs

Question 26

Supraspinous ligament

Answer 26

Long post ligament, overlies all SPs

Question 27

Which side of the spine has the strongest ligamentous support?

Answer 27

Posterior > anterior

Question 28

Iliolumbar ligament

Answer 28

L4-5 TP's to iliac crest

Question 29

SI joint ligaments (ant & post)

Answer 29

oriented horizontally & vertically. Play major role in pelvic stability.

Question 30

Sacrotuberous ligament

Answer 30

From posterior sacrum to ischial tuberosity

Question 31

Sacrospinous ligament

Answer 31

From sacrum to ischial spine

Question 32

How many layers does the Thoracolumbar Fascia have?

Answer 32

3, superficial, intermediate, and deep

Question 33

Functions of TLF

Answer 33

Part of attachments for Trans Abd, Latis Dorsi, Glut Max. Assist with spinal stability

Question 34

Erector Spinae

Answer 34

Intermed layer, primarily spinal extensors, respond to external loads.

Question 35

Transversospinalis

Answer 35

Deep layer. As a group, inherent stabilization of spine, postural stability.

Question 36

How does QL help maintain posure?

Answer 36

Resists hip drop forces in SL stance and gait.

Question 37

How is Trans Abd though to help stabilize spine?

Answer 37

Either increasing intra-abd pressure, or creating rigid cylinder around spine

Question 38

Ext/Int Obliques

Answer 38

Work with RA to counteract ant shear and tighten TLF

Question 39

Rectus Abd

Answer 39

Checks ant shear in lumbopelvis area.

Question 40

What will B tight HF's do to pelvis?

Answer 40

Bring it into Ant Pelvic Tilt

Question 41

Which muscle controls pelvis in the Frontal Plane?

Answer 41

Glut Med

Question 42

What can a tight TFL/ITB do to pelvis?

Answer 42

Create anterior torsion force via attachments to Ilium.

Question 43

What will tight Hamstrings do to pelvis?

Answer 43

Force it into PPT

Question 44

Which portions of the IV Disc are innervated?

Answer 44

Only outermost portions of annulus. Inner layers and nucleus not innervated.

Question 45

Sinu-vertebral nerves

Answer 45

Branch off spinal nerves, & course back through IV formamen. Innervate ≥ 2 discs and Ant Long Lig.

Question 46

Which areas of spine have pain innervation?

Answer 46

ALL, PLL, Vert Body, Facet Jnt capsule & synovium, & nerve roots

Question 47

Which spine areas DON'T have pain innervation?

Answer 47

IV disc, except for outermost layer of annulus

Question 48

How does disc get blood supply?

Answer 48

No real supply of its own. Nourished by small capillary beds in subchondral bone of vertebral body.