Week 1 Flashcards
Kyphosis
excessive thoracic (inward) curvature causing humpback deformity
Lordosis
Excessive lumbar (outward) curvature causing a swayback deformity
Atlas
C1
Axis
C2
Scoliosis
abnormal lateral curvature of the spine
vertebral column
33 bones separated by intervertebral discs
Functions of vertebral column
1) protect spinal cord 2) support body weight above pelvis 3) form central axis of the body 4) support posture and movement
Natural curvature of vertebral column
cervical and lumbar are curved anteriorly and develop secondarily after birth with sitting, standing and walking.
thoracic and sacrum are curved posteriorly and are referred to as primary curvatures
weight bearing portion of vertebra
vertebral body
Anterior longitudinal ligament
runs the length of the vertebral column and limits hyperextension of the spine
Posterior longitudinal ligament
runs the length of the vertebral column and limits hyperflexion
ligamentam flavum
extends between lamina of adjacent vertebrae
interspinous ligament
between spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
supraspinous ligament
extends between tips of spinous processes
intertransverse ligament
extends between transverse processes
annulus fibrosus
the outside of an intervertebral disc. several layers of fibrous connective tissue
nucleus pulposus
central portion of a disc. gel-like. loses moisture with age; loses ability to absorb shock
herniated or slipped disc
deterioration of annulus fibrosus that allows the nucleus propulsus to bulge out. tends to occur on one side and compress the spinal nerve. mainly cervical and lumbar
cervical herniation
compresses nerve passing through foramen at the same level
lumbar herniation
compresses nerve passing through the foramen at the next lower level
Conus medullaris
the tapering at the end of the spinal cord. Occurs at approximately L2
31 spinal cord segments
8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 1 coccygeal.
intervertebral foramen
where the spinal nerves leave the spinal cord. All spinal nerves exit below the same names vertebrae, except in cervical region
Cauda equina
the spinal nerves that arise from inferior end of spinal cord (L2-S5)
ventral/anterior nerve root
motor
dorsal/posterior nerve root
sensory
dorsal/posterior ramus
motor and sensory nerve fibers to synovial joints, intrinsic muscles of the back, and the skin of the back
ventral/anterior ramus
motor and sensory nerve fibers to most of remaining joints, muscles, and skin
spinal meninges
3 membranes that surround spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater. they create subarachnoid space, which contains CSF
dura mater
most external of meninges. extends from foramen magnum to middle of sacrum
foramen magnum
opening at the base of the skull through with spinal cord passes
arachnoid mater
a delicate membrane, the middle layer of meninges.
pia mater
innermost of the meninges. thin membrane that covers spinal cord, nerve roots and their blood vessels. at conus medullaris, it leaves the spinal cord and forms the filum terminale
filum terminale
attaches at end the vertebral canal and anchors the inferior end of the spinal cord.
appendicular skeleton
bones of the upper and lower limbs
axial skeleton
skull, vertebral column, ribs and sternum
bones of shoulder
scapula, clavicle, and proximal end of humerus
fibrous joint (synarthroses)
permit little or no movement; consist of 2 bones joined by dense connective tissue. ie suture of the skull
cartilaginous joints (amphiarthroses)
permit slight movment; consist of 2 bones joined buy fibrocartilaginous disks. ie sternocostal joints, intervertebral joints, and the symphysis pubis.
synovial joints (diarthroses)
permit greatest degree of movement; consist of 2 bones separated by a narrow synovial cavity and supported by connective tissue capsule and associated ligaments. ie upper and lower limb joints
articular capsule
surrounds a synovial joint cavity; made of connective tissue
articular cartilage
thin layer of hyaline cartilage that prevents friction between articulating bones. Does not contain blood vessels
synovial membrane
lines the inner surface of articular capsule
intima
the cells that line the surface of the synovial membrane and secrete synovial fluid
synovial fluid
lubricates and reduces friction between bones of a joint. provides surface tension to hold the ends of the bones together. provides nourishment to articular cartilage
subintima
the other part of the synovial membrane. contains highly vascularized loose connective tissue
effusion
excess production of joint fluid caused by injury or irritation of the synovial membrane
extrinsic ligament
located outside articular capsule
intrinsic ligament
fused to or incorporated into the wall of the capsule
intracapsular ligament
(rare) ligaments inside the capsule
passive (static) stabilizers of synovial joints
shapes of the bones, fibrocartilaginous disks, joint capsule, ligaments, and surface tension provided by synovial fluid
active (dynamic) stabilizers of synovial joints
muscles and their associated tendons that cross the joint. Very important at the shoulder joint, where the ligaments are relatively weak
glenohumeral joint
articulation between head of humerus and the glenoid fossa of the scapula. Allows for flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and internal/external rotation of the arm
sternoclavicular joint
articulation between clavicle and sternum. relatively immoble; allow for gliding type of motion
acromioclavicular (AC) joint
articulation between acromion process of the scapula and clavicle. relatively immoble; allow for gliding type of motion
scapulothoracic “joint”
not a true joint. between anterior surface of the scapula and the posterior/lateral thoracic wall. allows for elevation/ depression, protraction/retraction, and upward/downward rotation of scapula.
static stabilizers of glenohumeral joint
the most important are the capsule and its associated ligaments
dynamic stabilizers of glenohumeral joint
most important are the muscles of the rotator cuff
muscles of rotator cuff
supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor
supraspinatus muscle
initiates and assists with abduction of arm
infraspinatus muscle
external rotation, abduction, adduction of arm
subscapularis muscle
internal rotation of arm
teres minor
external rotation and adduction of arm
muscle(s) assisting in adduction of arm
teres minor and infraspinatus
muscle(s) assisting in abduction of arm
supraspinatus and infraspinatus