spine

Question 1

trunk and spine

Question 2

spine functions

Answer 2

• Weight bear in upright posture
• Act as a shock absorber through the curves and intervertebral discs
• Produce, accumulate and transmit forces through the body
• Be an attachment point for muscles of shoulder and pelvic girdles
• Carry and support thoracic cage
• Protect the spinal cord

Question 3

Spinal regions

Answer 3

33 vertebrae
* 7 cervical
* 12 thoracic
* 5 lumbar
* 5 sacral (fused)
* 4 coccygeal (fused)

Question 4

Spinal curvature

Answer 4

• Thoracic and sacral curves are
  convex posteriorly
• This is called a kyphosis
• Cervical and lumbar curves are
  convex anteriorly
• This is called a lordosis

Question 5

Development of curves

Answer 5

i. Primary curve at birth
ii. Development of secondary
cervical curve as a baby
learning to sit
iii. Development of secondary
lumbar curve as a toddler
learning to walk

Question 6

Scoliosis

Answer 6

• An abnormal curve in the frontal
  plane is called a scoliosis
• Commonly idiopathic and
  identified in childhood
• Can be secondary to other
  conditions

Question 7

where does movement occur

Answer 7

Cervical spine
* Flexion/Extension
* Lateral flexion
* Rotation

Thoracic spine
* Rotation
* Lateral flexion
* More limited Flexion/Extension

Lumbar spine
* Flexion / Extension
* Lateral flexion
* More limited rotation

Question 8

vertebrae basics

Answer 8

Spinal cord runs along
neural canal
* Bodies separated by
intervertebral discs
* Articulations between
vertebrae at two
zygoapophyseal joints
* Transverse and spinous
processes provide
attachments for muscles

Question 9

Vertebral arteries in cervical spine

Answer 9

Form part of blood supply
to the brain alongside
internal carotid arteries.
Pass through transverse
foramen in transverse
processes on either side
of cervical spine

Question 10

C1 vertebrae - The Atlas

Answer 10

Articulates with the base of the skull
at the Atlantooccipital joint

Question 11

C2 vertebrae – The Axis

Answer 11

• Articulates with the atlas at the
  Atlantoaxial joint
• Odontoid process held in place by
  Transverse ligament

Question 12

Key differences between vertebrae

Answer 12

Cervical-
body- small oval
vertebral foramen- large triangular
spinous process- short and bifid
transverse processes- shorted more anterior and have transvers foramen
facet joints- 45 degree anteroposterior

Question 13

Thoracic-

Answer 13

vertebral body- medium- heart shaped
vertebral body-small oval
spinous process- long and slanted down
transverse processes- longer more posterior and have costal facets
facet joints 60 degrees anteroposterior

Question 14

Lumbar

Answer 14

vertebral body- large kidney shaped
vertebral foramen- small triangular
spinous process- broader and flat
transverse processes- longer more lateral
facet joints- 90 degrees mediolateral

Question 15

Spinal cord and nerve roots

Answer 15

Spinal cord passes down
neural canal through
vertebral foramen.
Nerve roots leave at each
spinal level through the
gap posterior to
intervertebral disc,
between pedicles of
vertebrae above and
below.