Thoracolumbar Spine

Question 1

Number of vertebrae

Answer 1

Cervical =7
Thoracic = 17-19
Lumbar = 5-7
Coccygeal = 15-21

Question 2

Thoracic spine

Answer 2

T3 is the first palpable
T4-5 longest DSP’s
T8-T9 end of withers
Anticlinal T16

Question 3

Anticlinal

Answer 3

Usually T16

Question 4

Kissing spine

Answer 4

Impinging or overriding DSP’s
Athletic and sporting horses with no signs of back pain

Question 5

OA in the facet joints

Answer 5

High incidence in Thoroughbreds
Occurs with kissing spine often
Common in Tx and Lx

Question 6

Epaxials and hypaxials

Answer 6

Divided into 3 layers
Epaxials:Extends spine and laterally flexes
Hypaxials: flexion and lateral flexion

Question 7

First layer of Epaxials

Answer 7

Trapezius thoracis
Lat dorsi

Question 8

Second layer of Epaxials

Answer 8

Rhomboideus thoracalis
Serratus dorsalis

Question 9

Third layer of Epaxials

Answer 9

Iliocostalis
Longissimus dorsi
Multifidus dorsi

Question 10

Iliocostalis

Answer 10

Long thin muscle
Deep lumbodorsal fascia to L3-4 and last 15 ribs

Question 11

Longissimus dorsi

Answer 11

Largest and longest muscle
C7 TP’s and DSP’s to ilium and sacrum
Main extensor

Question 12

Multifidus

Answer 12

Most medial
Adjacent to DSP’s
Numerous overlapping segments between Cx and Lx

Question 13

Ligaments in T-Lx

Answer 13

Nuchal- occiput to supraspinous ligament
Supraspinous- SP’s to 3rd sacral vertebrae
Interspinous- between vertebrae

Question 14

Hypaxials

Answer 14

Psoas minor
Psoas major and iliacus- iliopsoas
Quadratus lumborum

Question 15

Abdominals

Answer 15

External and internal obliques (ext behind pecs)
Transverse abdominis (around last rib)
Rectus abdominis (behind external)