Spine Flashcards
How many bones in the spine
33
How many vetebrae are there?
24
What other bones are there in the spine? (not the vertebrae)
Sacrum & Coccyx
What are the 5 functions of the spine?
structural support, upright posture, houses and protects spinal cord, enables motion through axial skeleton, protects organs such as heart and lungs
What are the 4 natural curves (regions) of the spine?
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral
What 2 types of curves make up the spine?
Kyphotic and Lordotic
Define Spinal Stabilization
Maintaining neutral spine or maintaining the curves during movement
What is another name for spinal stabilization?
core stabilization
What 4 parts make up a spinal vertebrae
Body, Vertebral Arch, Spinal Foramen, Facet Joint
What is the purpose of the “body” of the vertebrae
Load bearing
What is the purpose of the Vertebral Arch?
Serves as attachment points for muscles and ligaments
Name the 2 part of the Vertebral Arch
Pedicles and Laminae
What is the purpose of the Spinal Foramen
Houses the Spinal Cord
What is the purpose of Facet Joints
Interaction with other vertebrase
Where are the Atlas and Axis of the spine? Or what letter and number designation are they given?
Upper-most levels of the Cervical vertbrae, C1 & C2
What is the key feature of the C1 &C2 vertebrae?
Much more transverse rotation that all other vertebrae
What are intervertebral discs?
Fibrocartilage between the vertebrae
What’s the centre of the Intervertebral disc called
Nucleus Pulposus
Name 2 common diagnoses of back pain associated with Intervertebral discs
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Disc Herniations
What is DDD?
Gradual degradation of the disc over years
Name factors linked to developing DDD
Age, genetics, physical labour, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking
What is a disc herniation?
Migration of the nucleus pulposus through the layers of the annulus fibrosus.
Does disc herniation always = back pain?
No - 40% of adults have been found to have some degree of disc herniation
What can cause herniation?
Acute trauma from car crash or lifting, also can occur over time & linked to sedentary lifestyles
Name the 3 layers of muscles surrounding the spine?
Superficial, Intermediate, Deep
How many muscles are attached to or influence the spine?
77
What are superficial muscles primary function?
Movement the limbs that have attachment points to the spne.
What are Intermediate muscles primary function?
Influence respiration
What are the names of the primary Intermediate muscles?
Levatores Costarum, Serratus Posterior Superior, Serratus Posterior Inferior
What is the function of Deep muscles?
Creating motion and stabilizing the spine
Name the 4 big muscles of the Superficial group
Latisimuss Dorsi, Gluteus Maximus, Rhomboids, Trapezius
Name 3 of the Deep Muscles
Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis
What is the role of the abdominals in relation to the spine?
Movement and Stabilization
Muscles involved with stabilization from the abdominals?
Tranversus abdominis & internal obliques
What is the role of the rectus abdominis?
Connects the ribcage to the pelvis
What is the role of the external obliques?
Stabilization, flexion and rotation of the spine
What is lateral flexion of the spine?
Bending to the side
Which is the most mobile of the spinal regions
Cervical
Which is the most stable region of the spine?
Thoracic
The Lumbar region moves mostly in which plane?
Sagittal
To allow further flexibility of the spine which joint must also move?
Hip joint
What is the process of move the hip join to aid the spine called
Lumbo-pelvic rhythm
The Lumbar region is Kyphotic or Lordotic?
Lordotic
The Thoracic region of the spine is Kyphotic or Lordotic
Kyphotic
The tough outer portion of the intervertebral disc is made of what cartilage?
Fibrocartilage
What is the Spinal Multifidus primary role
Spinal Stabilization
Muscle group most directly responsible for flexion of the lumbar spine?
Rectus Abdominus
What is Scoliosis?
The presence of abnormal curvatures along the vertebral column
What deviation is required to be defined as scoliosis?
Greater than 10 degrees
How does scoliosis present in the gym?
Hip or shoulder tilt when athlete should be neutral
When is Scoliosis most likely to be diagnosed?
Between 10 and 15 years of age
At what degree of scoliosis would surgery be considered?
40 degrees of higher
Should exercise be avoided by people with scoliosis?
No, world record holders have had scoliosis. Correct execution of back strengthening exercises to maintain functionality across their lifetime.
