V. General Cervical Biomechanics

Question 1

_______ is the most flexible (greatest global ROM and circumduction) region of the spine

Answer 1

cervical

Question 2

What is the neurologic significance of the cervical spine

Answer 2

-location of spinal cord, brainstem and nerve roots -rich in proprio and mechanoreceptors -has righting reflexes

Question 3

Because of _____ and _____ the cervical spine is compromised stability and is therefore prone to injury and compensation.

Answer 3

small structures : increased flexibility

Question 4

What is the normal lordosis of the cervical spine (C1-C7)?

Answer 4

Question 5

What help determine the lordotic curve of the cervical spine?

Answer 5

facet angle and pillar height

Question 6

Hyperlordotic curve of the cervical spine can be caused by what?

Answer 6

congenital

compensational (hyperkyphotic thoracics)

degenerative changes (osteoporosis)

Question 7

Which is more common in the cervical spine, hyperlordosis or hypolordosis?

Answer 7

hypolordosis

Question 8

What are the effects of a hyperlorditic cervical spine?

Answer 8

• posterior disc compression
• anterior disc tensile stress
• shortening of posterior musculature
• possible predisposition to facet syndrome

Question 9

Hypolordotic curve of the cervical spine can be caused by what?

Answer 9

• congenital (hyperplastic pillars)
• compensational (flat back posture)
• post traumatic (CAD trauma)
• antalgic (CAD trauma, acute facet syndrome)

Question 10

What are the effects of a hypolordotic cervical spine?

Answer 10

• compression of anterior disc
• tensile stress to posterior ligaments, discs and joint capsules
• increased work load of paravertebral muscles
• decreased shock absorption
• shortening of the anterior cervical muscles
• muscle splinting which further straightens curve

Question 11

What is the inclinometric global ROM for flexion of the cervical spine?

Answer 11

60º

Question 12

What is the inclinometric global ROM for extention of the cervical spine?

Answer 12

75º

Question 13

What is the inclinometric global ROM for lateral flexion of the cervical spine?

Answer 13

45º

Question 14

What is the inclinometric global ROM for rotation of the cervical spine?

Answer 14

80º

Question 15

What is the observational global ROM for flexion of the cervical spine?

Answer 15

approximately chin to chest

Question 16

What is the observational global ROM for extension of the cervical spine?

Answer 16

approximately looking directly at the ceiling

Question 17

What is the observational global ROM for lateral flexion of the cervical spine?

Answer 17

ear approximately 2” from shoulder

Question 18

What is the observational global ROM for rotation of the cervical spine?

Answer 18

approximately chin to shoulder

Question 19

What muscles produce integrated global movement as a result of the head moving in relation to the trunk?

Answer 19

non-segmental muscles in the cervical spine

Question 20

Eccentric activity of non-segmental muscles predominates in what motions of the cervical spine?

Answer 20

extension, flexion and lateral flexion

Question 21

Segmental muscles of the cervical spine coordinate and integrate segemental motion acting as _____ _____ of overall movement.

Answer 21

involuntary integrators

Question 22

Which are more likely to cause static listings in the cervical spine, non-segmental or segmental muscles?

Answer 22

segmental muscles