Surface Anatomy - spine and brachial plexus

Question 1

which areas of the body can do protraction and retraction?

Answer 1

shoulders or jaw

Question 2

why is the spine curved?

Answer 2

increased mobility and ability to bear axial load during development

Question 3

what are the spinal curves?

Answer 3

-thoracic and sacral kyphosis are backwards curving primary curves (posterior convexity)
-cervical and lumbar lordosis are forward curving secondary curves (anterior convexity)

Question 4

when and why does cervical lordosis develop?

Answer 4

cervical lordosis develops at about 6 months to improve lifting of the head and head control.

Question 5

when and why does lumbar lordosis occur?

Answer 5

lumbar lordosis develops at about 10-14 months to allow standing and walking

Question 6

why Is the spine initially c shaped?

Answer 6

to fit in the womb

Question 7

what is scoliosis?

Answer 7

An abnormal lateral curvature/rotation of the spine. Can affect ribcage & make this prominent, or make shoulder levels uneven. Can be congenital, idiopathic, neuromuscular, degenerative (also post-trauma/tumour/infection)

Question 8

what causes abnormally increased kyphosis in thoracic spine of elderly?

Answer 8

ageing is a kyphotic process. can be worsened by osteoporotic compression fractures

Question 9

what is a winged scapula?

Answer 9

when the scapula lifts away from the thoracic cage

Question 10

which nevrve can be damaged in the which nerve in the brachial plexus can cause scapula winging?

Answer 10

injury to the long thoracic nerve. if there is a scapula winging then the plexus injury is high, no winging means injury is likely below root level

Question 11

what is the first very prominent vertebrae?

Answer 11

C7 - vertebra prominent but can cometimes be T1

Question 12

generally what does bruising, tenderness or swelling on the spinous process mean?

Answer 12

If the posterior elements of the spinal column are bruised, swollen or tender increases suspicion of an unstable injury with posterior structures such as ligaments disrupted and a threat to the spinal cord/roots.

Question 13

what is the surface landmark for T3?

Answer 13

level of base of the spines of the scapula

Question 14

what is the surface landmark for T7?

Answer 14

inferior angle of scapula

Question 15

what is the surface landmark for T12?

Answer 15

level of lowest rib

Question 16

what is the surface landmark for L4?

Answer 16

level of a line drawn between iliac crests

Question 17

what happens at L1/2?

Answer 17

spinal cord terminates

Question 18

what movements occur at the cervicle spine?

Answer 18

flexion/ extension
lateral flexion
head nodding and rotation

Question 19

what is a dermatome?

Answer 19

an area of skin supplied by a specific single nerve root and spinal segment

Question 20

what movement happens at the thoracic spine?

Answer 20

rotation and lateral flexion

Question 21

what movement happens at the lumbar spine?

Answer 21

flexion/extension

Question 22

why do most fracures occur at the junction between cervical and thoracic vertebrae and thoracic and lumbar?

Answer 22

thoracic segment relatively immobile- biomehcnaical focus of stress at junction between stiff and bile segments

Question 23

what is a myotome?

Answer 23

a group of muscles supplied by a specific spinal nerve root.

Question 24

what is muscle tone?

Answer 24

muscles resistance to passive stretch

Question 25

what is muscle power?

Answer 25

tension/ strength generated by voluntary contractions

Question 27

what are the 4 parts of the brachial plexus?

Answer 27

5 roots
3 trunks
6 division
3 cords