The Spine - Movements Possible and Muscles Involved

Question 1

state what it is meant by the key term - spinal flexion

Answer 1

spinal flexion is the forward bending in the sagittal plane

Question 2

explain how spinal flexion is able to occur

Answer 2

compression of the anterior disc and gliding if the facet joints

Question 3

where does spinal flexion occur most freely ?

Answer 3

spinal flexion occurs most freely in the cervicle, upper thoracic and lumbar regions

Question 4

state what it is meant by the key term - spinal extension

Answer 4

spinal extension refers to the return of the spinal column from a flexed position - backwards and downwards movement in the sagittal plane

Question 5

where does spinal extension occur most freely ?

Answer 5

cervicle and lumbar regions

Question 6

where is spinal extension limited, and why ?

Answer 6

spinal extension is limited in the thoracic region due to facet joint articulations and the ribs

Question 7

state what it is meant by the key term - spinal lateral flexion

Answer 7

spinal lateral flexion is the sidewards bending in the frontal plane

Question 8

talk about lateral flexion mobility in the spine (2 points)

Answer 8

1. most free in cervicle region

2. quite free in lumbar region

Question 9

where is spinal lateral flexion less mobile, and why ?

Answer 9

less lateral flexion can occur in the thoracic spine due to the ribs

Question 10

state what it is meant by the key term - spinal rotation

Answer 10

spinal rotation refers to left or right movement in the transverse plane

Question 11

where is spinal rotation most free, fairly free and lease free ?

Answer 11

1. most free in the cervicle region
2. more free in upper than lower thoracic regions
3. least free in the lumbar region

Question 12

state what it is meant by the key term - spinal circumduction

Answer 12

spinal circumduction refers to the circular movement of the trunk combining flexion, extension, lateral flexion but NOT rotation

Question 13

state the following for the - external abdominal obliques

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 13

A) posterior pelvic tilt, thoracic and lumbar flexion against resistance/gravity

B) side flexion, rotation

Question 14

state 2 general facts about the internal abdominal obliques

Answer 14

1. lie deep to the external abdominal obliques

2. most active during rotation

Question 15

state the following for the - internal abdominal obliques

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 15

A) thoracic and lumbar flexion against gravity/resistance

B) lateral flexion, rotation

Question 16

1) which muscle is the most superficial of the abdominal muscles ?
2) which muscle is the deepest of the abdominal muscles ?

Answer 16

1. rectus abdominos

2. transverse abdominis

Question 17

state the following for the - rectus abdominis

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 17

A) thoracic and lumbar flexion against resistance/gravity; increases posterior pelvic tilt

B) lateral flexion

Question 18

state 3 functions of the transverse abdominis

Answer 18

1. stabilises the trunk
2. strong muscle in exhalation and expulsion
3. acts like a girdle to flatten the abdominal wall and compress the abdominal viscera

Question 19

what is there a lot of research into with the transverse abdominis ? (3 points)

Answer 19

1. highly researched in lower back pain

2. limited evidence to support the use of specific training

Question 20

state the following for the - Splenius Capitis and Cervicis

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 20

A) neck extension

B) laterally flex and rotate the cervicle spine

C) support the head in upright standing

Question 21

the erector spinae is divided into 3 branches, what are they ?

Answer 21

1. iliocostalis (lumborum, thoracis, cervicis)
2. longissimus (thoracis, cervicis, capitis)
3. spinalis (thoracis, cervicis)

Question 22

state the following for the - erector spinae (iliocostalis, longissimus and spinalis)

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 22

A) spinal extension against gravity/resistance

B) lateral flexion and rotation

Question 23

state 2 general facts about the semispinalis

Answer 23

1. thoracis, cervicis and capitis

2. lies between the erector spinae and the deep posterior spinal muscles

Question 24

state the following for the - semispinalis

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 24

A) extend cervicle and thoracic spine

B) lateral flexion and rotation

Question 25

state the names of the 5 deep spinal extensor muscles

Answer 25

1. multifidus
2. rotatores (longus and brevis)
3. interspinalis
4. intertransversus
5. levator costae (longus and brevis)

Question 26

state the following for the - 5 deep spinal extensor muscles

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 26

A) spinal extension

B) lateral flexion and rotation

C) act as a group to stabilise the spine

Question 27

state the following for the - scalenus (anterior, medial and posterior)

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 27

A) flexion of cervicle spine

B) lateral flexion and rotation of the cervicle spine

C) elevate the upper ribs during forced expiration

Question 28

state the following for the - sternocleidomastoid (sternal and clavicular heads)

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 28

A) flex head and neck

B) lateral flexion (same side), rotation (opposite side)

Question 29

state 2 general facts about the levator scapulae

Answer 29

1. also a muscle of the shoulder girdle

2. if the scapula is fixed, it causes lateral flexion of the cervicle spine

Question 30

state the following for the - quadratus lumborum

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 30

A) stabilise pelvis and lumbar spine

B) lumbar lateral flexion

Question 31

state the following for the - psoas major

A) the bilateral activation effect(s)
B) the unilateral activation effect(s)
C) the other effect(s) - if applicable

Answer 31

A) lumbar flexion

B) lumbar lateral flexion

C) stabilisation of the lumbar spine