Spine Flashcards by Haleigh Scott

Ligamentum Flavum

Limits end range of vertebral flexion

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Supraspinous/Interspinous Ligaments

Limits Flexion

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Intertransverse Ligament

Limits contralateral flexion and forward flexion

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Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Limits extension or excessive lordosis in cervical & lumbar regions
Reinforces anterior sides of intervertebral discs

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Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Limits flexion and reinforces posterior sides of intervertebral discs

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Capsules of Apophyseal Joints

Strengthens apophyseal joints

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C1 Facets

Superior= large, concave (accept condyles)
Inferior= Flat
Facet for Dens

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C2 Facets

Superior= Flat
Inferior = typical cervical (face anterior & inferior) at 45 degrees (between horizontal & frontal planes)

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C3-C6 Facets

Superior= face posterior & superior
Inferior= face anterior & inferior

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Upper Lumbar Facets (L1, L2 & kinda L3)

Superior= nearly vertical (sagittal plane)
Inferior= reciprocal to match

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Lower Lumbar Facets (L4, L5)

Superior= midway between frontal & sagittal plane
Inferior= reciprocal to match

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L5-S1 Facet

Frontal Plane (for anterior/posterior stability)

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Cervical Spine C1

“Atlas”
Suports the head
No rotation here

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Cervical Spine C2

“Axis”
Dens for rotation (No motion)
Cruciform, Transverse & Alar Ligament

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Cervical Spine C3-C7

45 degree angle at Facet Joints!!
C7 is Most Prominent

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Thoracic Spine T1

Elongated spinous process

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Thoracic Spine T2-T9

Posteriorly directed pedicles to reduce size of vertebral canal & larger transverse processes
Articular facets are nearly vertical

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Thoracic Spine T10-T12

No articulation with transverse processes

Lumbar Spine L1-L5

Wide bodies to support weight and broad spinous process
Articular facets are nearly vertical (prevent shear force)

Sacrum

Transmit weight of vertebral column to pelvis

Approximation of Joint Surfaces

facet surface tends to move closer to its partner facet -> usually by a compression force

ex: axial rotation between L1 & L2 typically causes an approximation of the contralateral apophyseal joint

Separation (gapping) between joint surfaces

facet surface tends to move away from its partner facet -> usually by a distraction force

ex: therapeutic traction as a a method of decompression in apophyseal joints

Sliding (gliding) between joint surfaces

facets translates in a linear or curvilinear direction relative to another articular facet -> caused by a force directed tangential to the joint forces

ex: flexion-extension of the mid-to-lower cervical spine

How do Spinous & Transverse Processes affect spinal movement?

They act as levers to increase the mechanical advantage of muscles & ligaments

How do Apophyseal Joints affect spinal movement?

They guide intervertebral motion (act like "railroad tracks")

How do Interbody Joints affect spinal movement?

They absorb shock and distribute loads. The greater the space of discs, the greater the potential movement

Horizontal Facets effect on rotation

Axial Rotation can occur

Vertical Facets effect on rotation

Blocks rotation

General Kinematics - Lateral Flexion

Compression & Shortening on concave side (Ipsilateral) Tension & Lengthening on convex side (contralateral)

General Kinematics - Flexion

Anterior Structures shorten/compress Posterior Structures lengthen/create tensile stress

General Kinematics - Extension

Anterior Structures lengthen/create tensile stress Posterior Structures shorten/compress

General Kinematics - Rotation

Direction the spinous process moves with rotation

Atlanto-occipital joint (C0-C1) Kinematics

Flexion/extension (10-30 degrees) Slight lateral flexion No Rotation

Atlanto-axial joint (C1-C2) Kinematics

Facets in Horizontal Plane 50% of Axial Rotation!!! Flexion/Extension Limited to no Lateral Flexion

Intracervical Apophyseal joints (C2-C7) Kinematics

Facets at 45 degrees Flexion/Extension (~130-135 degrees) Lateral Flexion Rotation

Craniocervical Movement: Protraction

Upper cervical extension Lower cervical flexion

Craniocervical Movement: Retraction

Upper cervical flexion Lower cervical extension

Thoracic Vertebrae Kinematics

Flexion/Extension (very limited in T1-T6 because of facet orientation) Axial Rotation (decreases as you move caudally) Lateral Flexion (facets would allow for unlimited motion but its reduced by rib attachments) Coupled lateral flexion & rotation

C7 Facet

Facets more similar to Thoracic

T1 Facets

Full superior costal facet for 1st rib Inferior= partial costal facet for 2nd rib

T10-T12 Facets

Single full costal facet for 10th, 11th, & 12th ribs None with Transverse Processes

T2-T9 facets

Costal Facet= nearly 90 degrees Articular Facets= nearly vertical (almost Frontal Plane) meaning it blocks rotation

Rib Arthrokinematics

Upper Ribs (1-6) are primarily Sagittal Plane -> so inhalation is anterior/superior movement & exhalation is posterior/inferior movement Lower Ribs (7-12) are primarily Frontal Plane -> so during inhalation ribs move lateral & superior & exhalation is medial & inferior

Interbody Joints

(two vertebrae + disc) Nucleus Pulposus = Shock absorber (type 2 collagen) & proteoglycans Annulus Fibrosis = concentric rings of collagen fibers