Vertebral Column and Back Muscles

Question 1

Vertebral Column

• What is it?
• What does it do?

Answer 1

• Curved, flexible pillar of segmented bones separated by intervertebral disks
• Muscle attachment, mobility, protection, weight transfer and haematopoiesis.

Question 2

Curvatures of the Vertebral Column

• Cervical
• Thoracic
• Lumbar
• Sacral

Answer 2

• Lordosis (ventral). Secondary curvature.
• Kyphosis (dorsal). Primary curvature.
• Lordosis (ventral). Secondary curvature.
• Kyphosis (dorsal). Primary curvature.

Question 3

“Normal” Components of Vertebrae

• Vertebral Body
• Vertebral Arch
• 7 processes
• Vertebral notches

Answer 3

• Vertebral body
• Pedicles and laminae
• 1 spinous process, 2 transverse processes and 4 articular processes
• Indentations superior and inferior to pedicles

Question 4

C1 - Atlas

• Body/spinous processes
• Arches
• Superior articular surfaces

Answer 4

• None
• Anterior and posterior. Each have their own tubercle
• Articulate with occipital chondyles

Question 5

C2 - Axis

• Dens/odontoid process
• Rotation

Answer 5

• Projects upwards from body
• On flat superior articular facets

Question 6

C3-C7 - Cervical

• Body
• Transverse process
• Spinous process

Answer 6

• Uncinate process
• Foramen transversarium and ant/post tubercles with groove for spinal nerve between them
• Bifid

Question 7

T1-T12 - Thoracic

• Costal facets
• Articular facets
• Spinous process

Answer 7

• For articulation of ribs
• Nearly vertical. Directed anteriorly and posteriorly.
• Long and sloping

Question 8

L1-L5 - Lumbar

• Body
• Accessory process
• Mamillary process
• Articular facets

Answer 8

• Massive and kidney shaped
• On each transverse process
• On each superior articular process
• Directed posteromedially and anterolaterally

Question 9

S1-S5(fused) - Sacrum

• Shape
• Pelvic surface
• Dorsal surface
• Coccygeal vertebrae

Answer 9

• Wedge shaped
• Smooth and concave
• Rough and convex
• Small and triangular fusion of ~4 rudimentary vertebrae.

Question 10

Vertebral Joints

• Intervertebral disks
• Zygapophysial joints

Answer 10

• Between vertebral bodies. 2^o cartilaginous
• Between articular facets. Plane synovial

Question 11

Trapezius

• Attachments
• Function
• Innervation

Answer 11

• Medial 1/3 of the nuchal line, the nuchal ligament, and spinous processes C7-T12 to the lateral scapula, the acromion and the spine of the scapula.
• Rotation of the scapula
• Spinal accessory (XI)

Question 12

Latissimus Dorsi

• Attachments
• Innervation

Answer 12

• Spinous processes T7-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, the iliac crest and the lower 3-4 ribs to the edge of the bicipital groove of the humerus.
• Thoracodorsal nerve (C6-8)

Question 13

Rhomboids

• Attachments of Major
• Attachments of Minor
• Innervation

Answer 13

• Spinous processes T2-5 to the medial border of the scapula
• Nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7+T1 to the medial end of the scapular spine.
• Dorsal scapular nerve (C4+C5)

Question 14

Levator Scapulae

• Attachments
• Innervation

Answer 14

• The posterior tubercles of the transverse processes from vertebrae C1-C4, to the medial border of the scapula above the spine.
• Cervical nerves (C3+C4) and the dorsal scapular nerve (C4+C5)

Question 15

Serratus Posterior Superior

• Attachments
• Innervation

Answer 15

• Nuchal ligament and the spinous processes of C7-T3, to the superior borders of ribs 2-4
• Intercostal nerves 2-5

Question 16

Serratus Posterior Inferior

• Attachments
• Innervation

Answer 16

• Spinous processes of T11-L2, to the inferior borders of ribs 8-12, near the angle.
• Anterior rami T9-T12

Question 17

Intrinsic Muscles of the Back

• Innervation
• Layers

Answer 17

• ALL innervated by the posterior rami of the spinal nerves
• Superficial, intermediate and deep layers

Question 18

Intrinsic Muscles – Superficial Layer

• Splenius Capitis
• Splenius Cervicis

Answer 18

• Both attatch to the nuchal ligament and spinous processes C7-T3/4.
• Capitis - To nuchal ligament and lateral 1/3 of the superior nuchal spine
• Cervicis - Tubercles of transverse processes C1-C3/4

Question 19

Intrinsic Muscles – Intermediate Layer

• Erector Spinae muscles from lateral to medial
• Attachments

Answer 19

• Iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis
• Iliocostalis: lumborum, thoracis and servicis parts. Attaches to the angles of the lower ribs and the cervical transverse processes
• Longissimus: Thoracis, cervicis and capitis parts. Attaches to between the tubercles and angles on the ribs, the thoracic and cervical transverse processes and the mastoid process
• Spinalis: Thoracis, cervicis and capitis parts. Attaches to the upper thoracic spinous processes and the cranium

Question 20

Intrinsic Muscles – Deep Layer

• Semispinalis

Answer 20

• Thoracis, cervicis and capitis parts. Attaches to the transverse processes C4-T12, the occipital bone and the thoracic and cervical spinous processes

Question 21

Intrinsic Muscles – Deep Layer

• Multifidus
• Rotatores

Answer 21

• Thickest in the lubar region with fibres passing superomedially to spinous processes 2-4 vertebrae above
• Well developed in the thoracic region. Fibres pass superomedially to the junction of the lamina and transverse processes 1 or 2 vertebrae above

Question 22

Intrinsic Muscles – Deep Layer

• Levator Costarum
• Interspinale
• Intertransversarii

Answer 22

• In thoracic region
• Well developed in cervical and lumbar regions
• Well developed in cervical and lumbar regions