Vertebral Column

Question 1

Number of vertebrae

Answer 1

– 33 total

– 7 cervical
– 12 thoracic
– 5 lumbar
– 5 sacral
-4 coccygeal

Question 2

Primary curves

Answer 2

Thoracic and sacral
: Kyphotic

Question 3

Secondary curves

Answer 3

Cervical and lumbar; lordotic

Question 4

Lamina

Answer 4

-transfer forces to pedicles

Question 5

Articular Processes

Answer 5

-resist forces and transmit to laminae

Question 6

SP and TP

Answer 6

-sites for muscle attachment
-resist compression
-transmit forces to laminae

Question 7

Structures resisting Spinal Extension

Answer 7

-Anterior longitudinal ligament

-Anterior AA membranes: continuation of ALL

Question 8

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 8

-covers anterior surface of vertebral bodies
-C2-sacrum
-thicker in lumbar

Question 9

Structures resisting Spinal Flexion

Answer 9

-PLL: same as ALL
-Ligamentum flava: post surface of spinal column
-Posterior OA and lig: continuation ligamentum flavum
-interspinous ligament: connect SP to vertebrae
-supraspinous lig: connects SP
-Facet joints

Question 10

Structures resisting Spinal Lateral flexion

Answer 10

intertransverse ligament: btwn TP; provide stretch or compression

Question 11

Structures resisting Spinal Rotation

Answer 11

Alar ligaments: C0-C2, limit ipsilateral lat flexion and contralateral rot
-Lat flexion will cause contra fibers to become tight

Facet joints: strongest @ transition zones

Question 12

Lumbar Spine Primary movement

Answer 12

Flexion/Extension

Question 13

Thoracic spine primary movement

Answer 13

Lateral flexion

Question 14

Movement of Vertebral Bodies with Flexion

Answer 14

-Ant tilt (compression)
-Inferior facets slide up (tension)

Question 15

Movement of Vertebral Bodies with Extension

Answer 15

-post tilt (tension)
-inferior discs slide down (compression)

Question 16

Movement of Vertebral Bodies with Lateral Flexion

Answer 16

-interventricular foramen tension on contralateral size and compresses on ipsi
-rotation coupled

Question 17

Upper Cervical Spine

Answer 17

C0-C2
-Lateral flexion: with contralateral rotation (mostly at (CO-C1); C1 moves ipsi

Flexion/Extension:
OA joint: convex (C0) on concave (C1)
-15-25 degrees
-Flexion: rolls ant, slides pos
-Extension: rolls pos, slides ant

Rotation:
AA Joint: Convex on concave
-Coupled with contralateral lat flexion
-contralateral move of C2 SP
-50% of rotation

Question 18

Lower Cervical Spine

Answer 18

(C2-C7)
-saddle joints limit lat flexion

Flexion: ant tilt and slide coupled with upward shift of facets
-C5/C6 greatest range

Extension: pos tilt and slide coupled with downward shift of facets
-C5/C6 greatest range

Lateral Flexion: coupled with ipsilateral rotation
-ipsilateral tilt and slide at interbody joints
-downward slide of ipsilateral facet joints
-upward slide of contralateral facet joints

Rotation: coupled with ipsilateral lateral rotation

Question 19

Thoracic spine

Answer 19

-Smallest intervertebral disc ratio
-Flexion limited by ribs and facet orientation
-Extension limited by abdominals and facet joints
-lateral flexion, coupled with ipsilateral rotation (upper thoracic more than lower)
- rotation causes ribs to shift: posterior ipsilateral rib concaves; anterior contralateral rib is less concave

Question 20

Lumbar spine

Answer 20

-large vertebral bodies to support compressive loads 80% (2x more walking)
-Super spinous ligament terminates an L5 in blends with thoracic lumbar fascia
-Lumbo pelvic rhythm: bending requires lumbar flexion for first 20° followed by interior public tilt for last 25

Flexion/extension: tilt and slide occur ipsilaterally

Rotation: tilt and slide occur ipsilaterally
– Ipsilateral facet joint distracts, while contralateral compresses

Lateral flexion: body tilts, and slides ipsilaterally
– Downward slide of ipsilateral facet
-upward slide of contralateral facet

Question 21

Sacrum

Answer 21

Nutation: sacral base rotates anteriorly on fixed pelvis
Anterior pelvic tilt: pelvis, and sacrum move anterior together
Counternutation: sacral base rotates posteriorly on fixed pelvis
Posterior pelvic tilt: pelvis and sacrum move posteriorly together

Question 22

Squat lift

Answer 22

– Neutral, lumbar spine
– Erector spinae, offset large interior, shear force
-Lower disc pressure, with higher compressive forces

Question 23

Stoop lift

Answer 23

– Elongated, spinal extension, muscles with decreased moment arm
– Erector spinae less able to counteract anterior sheer forces

Question 24

Schmorl’s Node

Answer 24

Disc prolapse or protrusion as result of disc, laminate or annulus separating