VII. lower cervical biomechanics (C3-C7)

Question 1

Vertebral bodies in the lower cervical spine are wider ____ (transversely/A-P)

Answer 1

transversely

Question 2

Articular facets of the lower cervical spine are at what angle with the horizontal plane?

Answer 2

45 degrees

Question 3

Describe the articular surfaces of the Z-joints in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 3

nearly flat with some variation

Question 4

What is the function of uncovertebral joints (joints of Luschka) in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 4

aid in guiding lateral flexion affect coupled rotation

Question 5

What is the approximate thickness of IVDs in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 5

3mm

Question 6

What is the disc to body ratio in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 6

2:5

Question 7

IVDs in the lower cervical spine are thickest where?

Answer 7

anteriorly

Question 8

Where is the nucleus of the IVDs located in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 8

slightly posterior to center

Question 9

What is the segmental range of motion for combined flexion/extension in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 9

approximately 15 degrees per segment

Question 10

Where is the segmental range of motion for combined flexion/extension in the lower cervical spine greatest?

Answer 10

in mid cervicals with approximately 20 degrees

Question 11

Where is the segmental range of motion for combined flexion/extension in the lower cervical spine lowest?

Answer 11

at C2-C3 and C7-T1 with 10 degrees

Question 12

What is the IAR for extension/flexion in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 12

anterior portion of the subadjacent vertebrae

Question 13

What is the kinematic pattern of motion for extension/flexion in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 13

predominantly angular movement in the sagittal plane with couple sagittal plane translation

flexion = +θ x with +z

extension -θ x with -z

Question 14

During flexion in the lower cervical spine, anterior disc is ____ (distracted/compressed) and the posterior disc is ____ (distracted/compressed)

Answer 14

compressed : distracted

Question 15

During extension in the lower cervical spine, anterior disc is ____ (distracted/compressed) and the posterior disc is ____ (distracted/compressed)

Answer 15

distracted : compressed

Question 16

During flexion in the lower cervical spine, facets ____ (separate/approximate)

Answer 16

separate

Question 17

During extension in the lower cervical spine, facets ____ (separate/approximate)

Answer 17

approximate

Question 18

What is the segmental range of motion for lateral flexion of the lower cervical spine?

Answer 18

averages 7-8 degrees to each side

Question 19

The segmental range of motion for lateral flexion of the lower cervical spine decreases in which direction?

Answer 19

caudal

Question 20

What is the IAR for lateral flexion of the lower cervical spine?

Answer 20

debated

Question 21

What is the kinematic pattern of motion for lateral flexion in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 21

lateral bending couples with ipsilateral axial rotation

*degree of coupled rotation decreases from cephalad to caudad

Question 22

During lateral flexion of the lower cervical spine, lateral disc wedging and ____ (distraction/approximation) on the side of lateral flexion and ____ (distraction/approximation) on the opposite side

Answer 22

approximation : distraction

Question 23

What is the segmental range of motion for rotation of the lower cervical spine?

Answer 23

averages 5 degrees to each side and nearly uniform from C3-C7

Question 24

What is the IAR for rotation in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 24

contralateral subadjacent vertebral body

Question 25

What is the kinematic pattern of motion for rotation in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 25

predominantly axial rotation mildly coupled with ipsilateral lateral flexion i.e vertebral bodies laterally flex to the side of rotation

Question 26

During rotation in the lower cervical spine, on the side of rotation the inferior facet rides ____ (up/down) and ____ (laterally/medially)

Answer 26

down : medially

Question 27

During rotation in the lower cervical spine, on the opposite side of rotation the inferior facet rides ____ (up/down) and ____ (laterally/medially)

Answer 27

up : laterally

Question 28

What posterior muscles contribute to kinetics in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 28

splenius capitis splenius cervicis semispinalis capitis semispinalis cervicis longissimus capitis longissimus cervicis

Question 29

What anterior muscles contribute to kinetics in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 29

scalenes longus colli longus capitis SCM

Question 30

What segmental muscles contribute to kinetics in the lower cervical spine?

Answer 30

multifidus rotatores intertransversarii

Question 31

Flexion of the lower cervical spine is initiated by what muscles?

Answer 31

concentric activity of anterior cervical muscles

Question 32

Flexion of the lower cervical spine is guided by what muscles?

Answer 32

eccentric activity of the semispinalis, longissimus and splenius

Question 33

Flexion of the lower cervical spine is limited by what?

Answer 33

eccentric activity of posterior neck muscles elastic limits of myofascial tissue Nuchal, flaval and PLL joint capsule posterior IVD distraction anterior IVD compression chin hitting chest

Question 34

Extension of the lower cervical spine is initiated by what muscles?

Answer 34

concentric activity of posterior cervical muscles

Question 35

Extension of the lower cervical spine is guided by what muscles?

Answer 35

eccentric activity of SCM, scalenes, longus colli and longus capitis

Question 36

Extension of the lower cervical spine is limited by what?

Answer 36

eccentric activity of anterior neck muscles elastic limits of myofascial tissue anterior IVD distraction posterior IVD compression ALL joint capsule facet joint approximation

Question 37

Lateral flexion of the lower cervical spine is initiated by what muscles?

Answer 37

ipsilateral concentric contraction of lateral flexors

Question 38

Lateral flexion of the lower cervical spine is guided by what muscles?

Answer 38

contralateral eccentric contraction of lateral flexors

Question 39

Lateral flexion of the lower cervical spine is limited by what?

Answer 39

contralateral eccentric muscle activity elastic limits of myofascial tissue tension of contralateral joint capsule, periarticular and flaval ligaments contralateral IVD distraction ipsilateral IVD compression ipsilateral articular pillars/facet joint approximation

Question 40

Rotation of the lower cervical spine is initiated by what muscles?

Answer 40

concentric contraction of ipsilateral splenius capitis and cervicis, longissimus cervicis concentric contraction of contralateral semispinalis cervicis and SCM

Question 41

Rotation of the lower cervical spine is guided by what muscles?

Answer 41

concentric contraction of contralateral splenius capitis and cervicis, longissimus cervicis concentric contraction of ipsilateral semispinalis cervicis and SCM

Question 42

Rotation of the lower cervical spine is limited by what?

Answer 42

capsular and periarticular ligaments segmental muscles facet joints

Question 43

What are the possible views to obtain by X-ray of the lower cervical spine?

Answer 43

AP cervical lateral cervical obliques flexion/extension studies