The Spine and Joints Flashcards
Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C7)
Allows movement of the head, bending and twisting of the neck
Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T12)
Supports the rib cage and allow some bending and rotation of the trunk
Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L5)
Largest and strongest of the vertebrae of the spinal column
Sacrum
Transmits weight of body to hips and legs
Conditions that can cause Spinal Abnormalities
- Kyphosis
- Lordosis
- Scoliosis
Number of Ribs
- 12 pairs of ribs
- 7 ‘True Ribs’ (attached
to the sternum) - 8, 9 & 10 are ‘False Ribs’ (attached to each other)
- 11 & 12 are ‘Floating Ribs’ (not attached at front)
What are Joints
- A JOINT is the place of union between two or more bones.
- Joints are the functional units that permit body movement.
- Movement occurs when muscles contract, pulling on the bones.
Fibrous Joints
Fixed joints that are held together by fibrous connective tissue
Examples
* Cranium, tibiofibular joint, radioulnar joint
Cartilaginous Joints
Slightly moveable joints that occur where bones are united by intervening cartilage
Examples
* Spine, public bones, manubriosternal joint
Synovial Joints
- Freely moveable joints that are the most common joint in the human body.
- Synovial joints can be defined based on the movements they allow.
- Gliding joint
- Ball and socket joint
- Hinge joint
Examples
* Knee joint, hip joint, shoulder joint
Bursae
- Closed sacs filled with synovial fluid.
- They are located wherever friction may develop
- between tendons and bones.
Joint Capsule
- A strong and fibrous tissue envelope
surrounding the joint. - The capsule blends with the periosteum of the bones.
- The capsule adds stability to a joint and are reinforced by ligaments.
Articular Discs
- Lie between the joint surfaces and are
attached to the capsule at the outer edge of the joint. - Their function is to absorb shock, maintain joint stability and protect the bone surfaces.
Synovial Membrane
- Thin membrane that lines the inside of the capsule but does not cover the hyaline cartilage.
- Its role is to produce synovial fluid.
Articular cartilage
Covers the joint surfaces of the bones
- Forms a smooth, white, shiny mass on the surface that looks like marble.
- Protects the bone tissue and helps to reduce friction between the bones.
Fat Pads
- Fill the crevices in and around the joints
- Form protective cushions for vital joint structures.
Synovial Fluid
● A yellowish, oily fluid that lubricates the articulating surfaces
● forms a fluid cushion between surfaces
● provides nutrients for the articular cartilage
● absorbs debris produced by friction between joint surfaces
Joint Mobility
The range of motion (ROM) through which the bones can be moved.
ROM is measured in degrees
Joint Stability
The ability to maintain or control joint movement
Factors Affecting Mobility and Stability of a joint
- Structure/shape of the joint/bones
- Tension exerted by ligaments
- Muscle tension
- Disease (Arthritis)
- Age
- Injury
Effects of Arthritis
- Joint inflammation
- Worn cartilage
- Spur growth
Effect of Age
- Soft tissue loses elasticity with age
- Reduction in synovial fluid
- Thickening of synovial capsule
