Spine Flashcards
Why must the spine be ridged and flexible?
Protects the spinal cord
• Transfers weight
• Bending movements of the upper body to the pelvis
• Absorbs shock
• Allows head to pivot
What are the 5 sections of the spine in order from top to bottom and how many sections are in each?
Cervical C1-C7
Thoracic T1-T12
Lumbar L1-L5
Sacrum S1-S5 (5 fused together)
Coccygeal (4; the lower 3 are commonly fused together)
What are the features of the thoracic spine?
What are the features of the lumbar spine?
Large, kidney-shaped body
• Short, strong pedicles
• Quadrangular spinous process
• Triangular vertebral canal
• Thin, short transverse process
• Articular processes; superior facing
medially; inferior facing late
Were are the surface markings and palpitations of the thoracic spine?
T3 is at the medial part of the spine of scapular
T7 is at the inferior angle of the scapular
How can you see the surface marking of the lumbar vertebrae?
• With the subject lying prone, place a firm pillow under the abdomen
which flattens the lumbar lordosis
• This makes the spines of the lumbar vertebrae become more pronounced,
appearing as a line of flattened edges
Where is the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Along anterior of vertebral body
Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Along posterior surface of the vertebral body
Where is the ligamenta flava?
Between laminae
Where are the interspinous ligaments?
Between spinous process
Were are the supraspinous ligaments?
Along posterior ridge of spinous processes.
Were are the intertransverse ligaments?
Between transverse processes.
Where is the nuchal ligament?
Between external occipital protuberance and spinous process of C7
What are the superficial muscles of the back?
Trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae, rhomboid major and minor.
