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Biomechanics Exam II > Thoracic Spine > Flashcards

Thoracic Spine Flashcards

1
Q

The thoracic spine is thought to have been designed for what purpose?

A

Rigidity/protection of viscera

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2
Q

What is least mobile part of the spinal column?

A

Thoracic spine

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3
Q

What does the upper thoracic spine tend to resemble? The lower thoracic spine?

A

Upper thoracic - resembles cervicals

Lower thoracic - resembles lumbars

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4
Q

What makes the thoracic region unique?

A

Rib articulations

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5
Q

The thoracic spine is prone to what kind of problems?

A

Chronic postural problems

Myofascial pain syndromes

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6
Q

What is the clinical importance of the kinds of effects that biomechanical changes in the thoracic spine can have?

A

Can affect sympathetic nervous system (T1-L2)

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7
Q

What motion is limited in the thoracic spine due to the elongated spinous processes?

A

Extension

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8
Q

What is the angle of the facet orientation associated with the thoracic spine?

A

60 degrees from the horizontal plane

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9
Q

What is the orientation of the superior articular facet in the thoracic spine? Inferior?

A 
Superior = Posterior, superior, lateral (BUL)
Inferior = Anterior, inferior, medial (ForMed)
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10
Q

What is unique about the IVDs of the thoracic spine?

A

Comparatively thin

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11
Q

What area of the spine has the smallest IVD height to body height ratio?

A

Thoracic spine (1:5)

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12
Q

What is unique about the position of the nucleus pulpous in the thoracic spine?

A

More centrally located within the annulus

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13
Q

What is the range and average kyphotic thoracic curve?

A

20-50 degrees; average = 45 degrees

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14
Q

What location in the thoracic spine makes the apex of the kyphotic curve?

A

T6-7

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15
Q

Is the thoracic curve known as a primary or secondary curve?

A

Primary (structural)

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16
Q

What maintains the thoracic curve?

A

Wedge-shaped vertebral bodies

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17
Q

What is another name for juvenile kyphosis?

A

Scheuermann’s disease

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18
Q

How can an increased thoracic kyphosis interfering with normal physiologic functioning?

A

Crowds the thoracic viscera

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19
Q

What is the primary movement of the thoracic spine?

A

Lateral bending coupled with axial rotation

20
Q

Where in the thoracic spine is lateral bending coupled with axial rotation most apparent?

A

Upper thoracic spine

21
Q

During lateral bending coupled with axial rotation, to which direction do the T1-T4 spinouses move?

A

Contralateral side (like cervical spine)

22
Q

During lateral bending coupled with axial rotation, to which direction do the T5-T8 spinouses move?

A

Either contralateral OR ipsilateral

23
Q

During lateral bending coupled with axial rotation, to which direction do the T9-T12 spinouses move?

A

Ipsilateral side (like lumbar spine)

24
Q

Thoracic flexion and extension is always coupled with what other motion?

A

SLIGHT +/- Z translation

25
Q

What type of thoracic flexion and extension coupled with slight Z translation is most common in the thoracic spine?

A
  • θX

- Z translation

26
Q

Why is - θX coupled with - Z translation in the thoracic spine the most common?

A

Facets prevent anterior movement

Gravity allows posterior movement

27
Q

During a walking study, where was the greatest amount of rotation observed in the thoracic spine?

A

Middle thoracic (minimal)

28
Q

How does the rib cage play a significant role in spinal stability?

A

Enhances stiffness of thoracic spine especially during extension

29
Q

What is the definition of stiffness in terms of the thoracic spine?

A

The amount of translation and rotational deformation under the application of force

30
Q

What are the two kinds of rib articulations?

A

Costovertebral - connecting heads of ribs to vertebral body

Costotransverse - connecting necks and tubercles of ribs to transverse process

31
Q

Which ribs articulate with a single vertebral body?

A

1 and 10-12

32
Q

Which ribs have heads that also articulate with adjacent vertebral bodies?

A

2-9

33
Q

Which ribs do not have costotransverse articulations?

A

11 and 12 (floating ribs)

34
Q

Which ribs connect to the sternum directly?

A

1-7

35
Q

Which ribs attach to the sternum indirectly via costocartilage?

A

8-10

36
Q

Which ribs have no anterior attachment?

A

11 and 12

37
Q

Rib humping is seen following which motion and on which side of the body?

A

Following body rotation on the same side of rotation

38
Q

What segments make up the thoracocervical junction?

A

C6-T3

39
Q

What changes in terms of motion in the thoracocervial junction?

A

Movements are the same but decreased

40
Q

Why is the thoracocervical junction considered a difficult area to adjust?

A

1 transition from most mobile area of spine to least mobile
2 body fat (dowager hump)
3 shoulder/scapular muscles

41
Q

What segments make up the thoracolumbar junction?

A

T10-L1

42
Q

What is the most significant structural characteristic in the thoracolumbar junction area?

A

Change from coronal facet plane in thoracic spine to sagittal plane facets in lumbar spine (T11-T12)

43
Q

What are the nerves formed from the posterior primary rami of the spinal roots of T12-L2 that innervate the skin and superficial structures of the upper posterolateral buttock, posterior iliac crest, and groin area?

A

Cluneal nerves

44
Q

Why can some dysfunction within the lower thoracic spine be mistake for disorders of the lumbar spine or SI regions?

A

Cluneal nerves refer pain into the region of the buttock, posterior iliac crest, and groin area

45
Q

Maigne believes that what area of the spine can account for up to 60% of chronic and acute low back pain?

A

Cluneal Nerve Entrapment Syndrome

Biomechanics Exam II (7 decks)

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