Station 8: The Spine and Nerves

Question 1

What are the ligaments of the spine?

Answer 1

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (anterior portion of spine)
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (anterior portion of spine)
Ligamentum flavum (posterior)
Interspinous ligament (posterior
Supraspinous ligament (posterior)
Intertransverse ligament (posterior)

Question 2

Which ligament bears the greatest strain in hyperextension?

Answer 2

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 3

Which ligament bears the greatest strain in flexion?

Answer 3

Interspinous ligament (more fibres in more directions)

Question 4

Which ligament bears the greatest strain in lateral flexion?

Answer 4

Contralateral intertransverse ligament

Question 5

Which ligament bears the greatest strain in rotation?

Answer 5

Capsular ligaments of zygapophyseal joint

Question 6

What colour is ligamentum flavum and why?

Answer 6

Yellow due to elastin (2:1 ratio of elastin to collagen)

Question 7

What section of the vertebrae has the most flexion/extension?

Answer 7

L5-S1

Question 8

What section of the vertebrae has the most lateral flexion?

Answer 8

C3-C5

Question 9

What section of the vertebrae has the most rotation?

Answer 9

C1-C2

Question 10

What do characteristics do these points of the vertebrae have?
OC-C1
C1-C2
C2-C7
T1-T12
L1-L5

Answer 10

OC-C1: no rotation (atlanto-occipital)
C1-C2: lots of rotation from the dens. No lateral flexion
C2-C7: Flexion/extension higher from C5 onwards
T1-T12: Frontal facing facets, little flex/ext, good lateral flexion and rotation
L1-L5: great flex/ext up to 20 degrees, minimal rotation

Question 11

What is the dynamic between erector spinae and Line of Gravity?

Answer 11

LOG pushes us forward, ES counteracts this

Question 12

What is the ROM for neutral thoracic kyphosis?

Answer 12

20-45 degrees

Question 13

What is the ROM for thoracic hypokyphosis?

Answer 13

<20 degrees

Question 14

What is the ROM for thoracic hyperkyphosis?

Answer 14

> 45 degrees

Question 15

What is the ROM for neutral lumbar lordosis?

Answer 15

20-40 degrees

Question 16

What is the ROM for lumbar hypolordosis?

Answer 16

<20 degrees

Question 17

What is the ROM for lumbar hyperlordosis?

Answer 17

> 40 degrees

Question 18

What does thoracic kyphosis do to the LOG?

Answer 18

Pushes it more forward, and thus ES must work hard to balance the weight which is set forward

Question 19

What is the ROM for neutral pelvic tilt?

Answer 19

30 degrees

Question 20

What is the ROM for anterior pelvic tilt? and what is this?

Answer 20

> 30 degrees. Lordosis

Question 21

What is the ROM for posterior pelvic tilt?

Answer 21

<30 degrees

Question 22

How you can you position yourself to reduce the load on the lumbar spine?

Answer 22

lie down on back
No gravity

Question 23

How many cranial nerves are there?

Answer 23

12

Question 24

How many spinal nerves are there?

Answer 24

31

Question 25

How many cervical nerves are there and why?

Answer 25

8 cervical nerves because they come out on top of the corresponding bone

Question 26

From thoracic onwards, where do nerves come out from?

Answer 26

Below the corresponding bone

Question 27

What is a plexus?

Answer 27

Network or bundle of spinal nerves after they come out of the spinal cord and run into nerves

Question 28

What is the dorsal nerve root?

Answer 28

Afferent, sensory. So receives the input. On posterior side

Question 29

What is the ventral nerve root?

Answer 29

Efferent, motor. Sends input to effector. On anterior side

Question 30

What are the components of a reflex arc?

Answer 30

- Receptor - Sensory neuron - Integration centre - Motor neuron - Effector

Question 31

Describe the brachial plexus

Answer 31

Serves the arm Origin: C5-T1 5 nerves - Axillary (shoulder) - Musculocutaneous (bicep area) - Radial (tricep and forearm) - Ulnar - Median (forearm)

Question 32

Which nerve from the brachial plexus is affected by Saturday night paralysis?

Answer 32

Radial nerve - when arm left in awkward position this nerve gets compressed

Question 33

Which nerve is the funny bone?

Answer 33

Ulnar - medial epicondyle of humerus. Bone and nerve are exposed

Question 34

What are some common symptoms of brachial plexus damage?

Answer 34

Arm: adducted, internally rotated Hand: flexed Elbow: extended, pronated

Question 35

Describe the Lumbar Plexus?

Answer 35

Serves lower body Arises from L2-L4 Lies with iliopsoas (psoas portion) 2 nerves - Femoral: front upper leg (iliopsoas and quad muscles) - Obturator: inside of leg (adductors)

Question 36

If you had pain in the medial thigh, which nerve would be damaged?

Answer 36

Obturator nerve from Lumbar Plexus

Question 37

Describe the Sacral Plexus

Answer 37

Supplies posterior leg Arises from L4-S4 2 Nerves - Sciatic - Tibial: back of leg - Common fibular: front of lower leg - Superior and inferior gluteal (glutes)

Question 38

What is a dermatome?

Answer 38

Area of skin innervated by a single spinal nerve