Spine LO's Flashcards
What vertebrae structures function for muscle attachment and movement?
spinous process
transverse process
What vertebrae structures function to restrict movement?
articular processes
What vertebrae structures function to protect the spinal cord?
vertebral arch
What vertebral structure functions to support the weight of the body?
vertebral body
What happens to vertebrae with advancing age?
decrease in bone density
articular surfaces bow inward
compression at periphery
osteophytes form in response
What are the primary curvatures of the vertebral column?
thoracic and sacral
kyphotic
What are the secondary curvatures of the vertebral column?
cervical
lumbar
(lordotic)
Why do intervertebral discs most commonly herniate posterolaterally? What do they affect?
Because of the spinal cord
impact lower spinal nerve level
What are the 6 ligaments of the spine and what motions do they restrict?
anterior longitudinal: hyperextension
posterior longitudinal: hyperflexion
supraspinous: helps maintain upright posture; resists forward flexion
interspinous: between spinous processes; limit flexion
ligamentum flavum: between laminae; resist terminal flexion between vertebrae
intertransverse: limit lateral flexion
Describe ligamentum nuchae
located in cervical spine, median septum, attachment site for splenius capitus
Primary movements of the spine (6)
Flexion, extension, lateral flexion, lateral extension, rotation of cervical, rotation of upper trunk
Zygapophysial joint orientation angles and movements allowed in each region
Cervical = 45° ; allow flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation Thoracic = 60° ; limited lateral flexion and rotation Lumbar = 90° ; limited lateral flexion and rotation
Extrinsic superficial back muscles and innervation
trapezius
latissimus dorsi
levator scapulae
rhomboids
cranial nerve XI, ventral rami of spinal nn.
Extrinsic intermediate back muscles and innervation
Serratus posterior superior
Serratus posterior inferior
intercostal nn.
Intrinsic superficial back muscles and innervation
splenius capitus
splenius cervicis
dorsal rami of spinal nn.
Intrinsic intermediate back muscles and innervation
Erector spinae: spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis
lateral branch or dorsal rami of spinal nn.
Intrinsic intermediate back muscles
Spinalis (thoracis, cervicis, semicapitis)
Longissimus (capitus, cervicis, thoracis)
Iliocostalis (cervicis, thoracis, lumborum)
Intrinsic deep back muscles and innervation
transversospinales
interspinales, intertransversarii (proprioception)
dorsal rami of spinal nn.
Transversospinales muscles
semispinalis capitus, thoracis, cervicis
multifidus
rotatores longus and brevis
Serratus posterior superior attachments
spinous processes of C7-T3
to
inferior borders of ribs 2-5
Serratus posterior superior function
proprioception of thoracic wall
Segmental innervation of serratus posterior superior
T1-T4
Serratus posterior inferior attachments
spinous processes of T11-L2
to
inferior border of ribs 9-12
Serratus posterior inferior function
proprioception of thoracic wall
Serratus posterior inferior segmental innervation
T9-T12
Erector spinae attachments
thoracolumbar fascia attached to sacrum, iliac crest, spinous processes T11-L5, supraspinous ligament, angles of ribs
to
costal angles (iliocostalis), ribs & transverse processes (longissimus), spinous processes (spinalis)
Actions of erector spinae
extension & lateral flexion of the vertebral column
Semispinalis attachments
transverse processes
to
distant superior spinous processes
Semispinalis actions
Exetnsion and contralateral rotation of vertebral column
Multifidus attachments
sacrum, posterior SI ligament, posterior iliac spine, transverse processes
to
more superior spinous processes
Multifidus actions
extension and contralateral rotation of vertebral column
Rotatores attachments
transverse to spinous process of vertebra above
Rotatores actions
extension and contralateral rotation of the vertebral column
Interspinales attachments
between spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
Interspinales action
extension of spine
Intertransversarii attachments
between transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae
Intertransversarii action
lateral flexion of spine
Splenius cervicis attachments
from spinous processes of T3-T6
to
posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1-C3
Splenius cervicis actions
extension, lateral flexion, ipsilateral rotation
Splenius capitus attachments
ligamentum nuchae and spinous processes T4-C7
to
mastoid process
Splenius capitus actions
extension, lateral flexion, ipsilateral rotation
Function of ventral root of spinal nerves
Lower motor neurons, pregang symp, pregang parasymp
Function of dorsal root
sensory
Ventral ramus function
sensory, lower motor neurons, postgang symp
Dorsal ramus functions
sensory, lower motor neurons, postgang symp (posterior neck, back)
