Vertebral Column Flashcards
How many total vertebrae are there? How many are... Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Coccygeal
7 12 5 5 4
What are the 3 joints that compose the vertebral motion system?
1 joint between the vertebral body and the IVD
2 facet joints
Therefore there are how many PAIRS of facet joints?
24
What type of joint are the facet joints?
planar (flat surfaces)
Describe the joints structure of the facet joints
They are covered in hyaline cartilage and have small fibrous synovial meniscoid-like fringes that project between the joint surfaces
What is the function of these intra-articular synovial folds?
They are space fillers and actively assist in the dispersal of synovial fluid
Describe the orientation of the cervical facet joints
They are horizontal and move to more of a 45 degree angle in the lower c-spine
The horizontal articular surfaces of the cervical spine facet joints favor what motion?
axial rotation
Describe the orientation of the thoracic facet joints
Almost vertical direction
The orientation of the nearly vertical facet joints of the thoracic spine facilitate which motion? What does it resist?
Facilitates rotation and resists anterior displacement
Describe the orientation of the lumber facet joints
They are vertical with a J-shaped surface predominantly in the sagittal plane
The vertical orientation of the lumber facet joints restricts which motions?
rotation and anterior shear
What are uncovertebral joints?
Saddle-shaped articulations between the unicate process found on the lateral aspect of the superior surface of the inferior vertebrae and the beveled inferolateral aspect of the superior vertebrae from C3 to T1
How do unicate processes increase stability?
They limit sidebending and posterior translation
What are the 3 parts of the IVDs?
- nucleus pulposus
- annulus fibrosus
- cartilage end plates
IVDs become stressed under what circumstances?
- axial compression
- shearing
- bending
- twisting
IVDs are _____ in the front for cervical and lumbar vertebrae. What does this contribute to?
Thicker
Lordosis
What 2 structures lock the IVDs to the vertebrae?
- end plates
- annular fibers
Where do the majority of spinal injuries occur?
at spinal junctions
What are the 3 sub-systems that contribute to spinal stability?
- passive system (autonomic)
- active system (muscles)
- central nervous system (anticipation and reflexes)
You should train your patient in what spinal zone?
neutral zone
What is the neutral zone?
A region of laxity around the neural resting position of a spinal segment (open-pack)
What are 3 spinal stability exercises emphases?
- strengthen the trunk musculature
- increase the endurance of trunk muscles
- incorporate motor learning principles to address impaired motor control strategies
The movements of the vertebral column occur in ____ patterns
diagonal
The amount of motion available at each region of the spine is determined by what 6 factors?
- disk-vertebral height
- compliance of the fibrocartilate
- dimension/shape of the adjacent vertebral end plates
- age
- disease
- gender
Upper Cervical Spine:
Flexion-Extension = __ degrees
Axial Rotation = __ - __ degrees
minimal
30-40
Lower Cervical Spine:
Flexion-Extension = __ - __ degrees
Axial Rotation = __ - __ degrees
10-20
5-6
Upper Thoracic Spine:
Flexion-Extension = __ degrees
Axial Rotation = __ - __ degrees
Side-Bending = __ degrees
4
5-6
6