The Back Flashcards
How does the vertebral column allow for weight-bearing?
Carries and transits weight from the upper body to the lower limbs.
Vertebral bodies increase in size from superior to inferior.
What do curvatures and intervertebral discs do?
Provide shock absorption.
How does the vertebral column allow for protection?
Vertebral foramen - protects the spinal cord.
Intervertebral foramen - protects the spinal nerves.
How does the vertebral column allow for movement?
Cervical - flexion / extension / rotation.
Thoracic - rotation.
Lumbar - flexion / extension / lateral flexion / rotation.
How does the vertebral column allow for muscle attachment at sites?
Extrinsic back muscles attach to the head, limbs, thorax and abdomen.
Intrinsic back muscles (erector spinae) control flexion / extension / lateral flexion.
What are primary and secondary curvatures also known as?
Kyphoses (present in the foetus).
Lordoses (develops during infancy).
What secondary curvatures occur as an infant grows?
Cervical - when infants have their heads upright.
Lumbar - when infants stand and walk.
What are unnatural curves of the spine called?
Lordosis - lumbar bends in (pregnancy).
Kyphosis - thoracic bends out (osteoporosis).
Scoliosis - common in adolescents.
What are intervertebral discs made of?
A central core with high water content (nucleus pulposus), surrounded by rings of fibrocartilage (annulus fibrosus).
What is a ‘slipped disc’?
Caused by a herniated nucleus pulposus.
Compresses the nerve root(s).
What are meninges?
Coverings of the spinal cord.
Made of dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater.
CSF is found in the subarachnoid space.
What are the different joints of the intervertebral column?
Intervertebral discs - secondary cartilaginous.
Facet joints - synovial plane.
Joints with ribs - synovial plane.
Skull and atlas - synovial ellipsoid.
Atlas and axis - synovial pivot.
What are the different relationships with the spine?
Muscles (extrinsic / intrinsic / anterior / posterior).
Nerves and ganglia (paravertebral / prevertebral).
Arteries and veins.
Lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes.
How does ageing cause back problems?
Weak back muscles cause an imbalanced loading of the spine.
A loss of muscle mass, strength and physical function occurs. This causes back pain.
How do pathological changes cause back problems?
Dehydration of intervertebral discs reduces shock absorption.
Osteoarthritis - pain and stiffness of joints.
Osteoporosis - compression fractures alters the curvature of the spine.
