Thoracic & Lumbar Spinal Mechanics Flashcards
What are the four junctions from a lateral view?
- craniocervical
- cervicothoracic
- thoracolumbar
- lumbosacral
What structures are on the gravitational line from a lateral view?
- external auditory canal
- head of the humerus
- L3
- anterior 1/3 of sacrum
- lateral malleolus
What is the curve of the cervical spine?
lordosis
What is the curve of the thoracic spine?
kyphosis
What is the curve of the lumbar spine?
lordosis
What is the curve of the sacral spine?
kyphosis
Name three traits of the body of a thoracic vertebra?
- medium size
- heart shape
- costal facets
Name two traits of the spinous processes of a thoracic vertebra?
- long
- slope postero-inferiorly
Name two traits of the body of a lumbar vertebra?
- large size
- kidney shape
Name two traits of the spinous processes of a lumbar vertebra?
- short
- broad
What constitutes a vertebral unit?
-two adjacent vertebrae and their associated intervertebral disc
Where are the spinous processes of T1-T3 in relation to the transverse processes?
at the same level
Where are the spinous processes of T4-T6 in relation to the transverse processes?
half a segment below
Where are the spinous processes of T7-T10 in relation to the transverse processes?
at the same level of the transverse process of the vertebra below
Where is the spinous process of T11 in relation to the transverse process?
half a segment below
Where is the spinous process of T12 in relation to the transverse process?
at the same level
What is the orientation of the superior facets for each spinal region?
Cervical - backwards, upwards, medial
Thoracic - backwards, upwards, lateral
Lumbar - Backwards, medial
BUM BUL BM
What is the anterior longitudinal ligament?
- strong, broad fibrous band
- covers/connects anterolateral aspects of vertebral bodies and IV discs
- limits extension
What is the posterior longitudinal ligament?
- narrow, somewhat weak band
- runs within vertebral canal along posterior aspect of vertebral bodies
- resists hyperflexion
- prevents posterior herniation of nucleus pulposus
What is the ligamentum flavum?
connects the lamina of adjacent vertebrae
What are the interspinous ligaments?
connect adjoining spinous processes
What are the intertransverse ligaments?
connect adjoining transverse processes
Where are the rotatores (brevis and longus), and what do they connect?
- brevis connects transverse process and spinous process of adjacent vertebrae (T2-T12)
- longus connects transverse process to spinous process two above (T3-T12)
Where are the multifidus and what do they connect?
connect mammillary processes of L1-L5, sacrum and ilium … superomedially to spinous process 3-5 vertebrae above
What is the origin/insertion/action of semispinalis capitis?
O: transverse and articular process of C4-T7
I: occipital bone b/w inferior/superior nuchal line
A: extend head and spine, rotate to opposite side; sidebend to same side
What is the origin/insertion/action of semispinalis cervicis?
O: transverse processes of T1-T6
I: spinous processes of C2-C5
A: extend spine, rotate to opposite side, sidebend to same side
What is the origin/insertion/action of semispinalis thoracis?
O: transverse process of T6-T12
I: spinous processes of C6-T4
A: extend spine, sidebend to same side, rotate opposite
Vertebral ranges of motion
Flexion: 40-90 degrees
Extension: 20-45 degrees
Sidebending: 15-30 degrees
Rotation: 3-18 degrees
What is coupled motion?
- consistent association of a motion along one axis w/ another motion along a second axis
- principle motion cannot be produced w/o the associated motion occurring as well
What is linkage?
-relationship of joint mechanics w/ surrounding structures
- linkage = increased range of motion
- can be normal or a result of compensation
What part of the vertebrae is used as the point of reference when describing motion?
the anterior or superior surface
In a vertebral unit, excessive movement or restriction of movement is in reference to what?
the upper vertebra
ex: excess motion of L2 is the motion of L2 on L3
What is the physiologic barrier?
limit of active motion
What is the anatomic barrier?
limit of passive motion