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MS III - Spine
Physical Therapy MS III - Spine Cards
21
Anatomy
Post-Graduate
01/09/2010

Additional Anatomy Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

How many spinal vertebrae are there? describe

How many discs?

How many mobile segments are there?

Definition

33 - vertebrae - 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 3-5 coccygeal

23 - discs

25 - mobile segments

Term
The vertebral column has how many definite curves? What are they?
Definition

1. cervical lordosis - convex anteriorly

2. dorsal kyphosis - convex posteriorly

3. lumbar lordosis - convex anteriorly

4. sacral kyphosis - convex posteriorly

Term
When do the curves assume adult proportions?
Definition
Age = 10
Term
What is the primary function of the spinal curves?
Definition

Shock absorption and to increase the load bearing capacity.

 

Allows for 10x greater capacity when compared to a straight column

Term
What forms the curve of the spine?
Definition

- the shapes of the vertebral bodies and their interposed discs

 

Term
What is the shape of the discs in the cervical spine?
Definition
cervical discs are thicker anteriorly vs posteriorly making it responsible for cervical lordosis
Term
What is the shape of the thoracic discs?
Definition
the thoracic discs are uniform in height; curvature is due to the shapes of the vertebral bodies
Term
Describe the shape of the lumbar discs?
Definition

Upper lumbar - discs are larger posteriorly vs anteriorly

Lower lumber - thicker anteriorly than posteriorly

L5 - is twice as thick anteriorly as posteriorly making it important in lower lumbar lordosis

Term
What extrinsic factors can modify the degree of curve of the spine?
Definition

a. body type

b. weight

c. muscular development

d. posture

Term
Why is there a slight concavity to the persons dominant side refering to handedness?
Definition
increased muscle development on that side of the body
Term
Most lateral curvatures (scoliosis) are due to what?
Definition

Either inequalities in

supporting musculature,

shortening of one leg or

joint restrictions.

 

 

mild scoliosis is a strengthening rather than a weakening feature

Term

Define spinal segment?

aka motion segment

Definition
adjacent halves of two vertebrae, the disc between them, and the related contents of the spinal canal and intervertebral foramen. Including ligaments, facet joints, mms, skin and fascia relating to that particular level.
Term
What is the functional unit of the spine?
Definition
The spinal segment aka motion segment
Term
What is considered the most typical vertebrae? Why?
Definition

- L2

- does not possess rib facet which is a characteristic of thoracic vertebrae

- does not possess the foramen transversarium as in cervical vertebrae

- does not have body wedge shape as in lower lumbar region

Term
What are the two portions of a vertebrae?
Definition

1. anterior - rough, cylindrical mass of cancelleous bone called the body

2. posterior - neural arch

together they form a foramen containing the spinal cord meninges and vessels

Term
What is the function of the vertebral body?
Definition

- transmits body weight

- flexible structure on which muscles can act

- provides attachment for mms processes

- limits ROM and absorbs shock

- acts as cushion when motion segment is compressed

- allows for vascular and lymphatic content to be easily expressed

- responsible for equalization and distribution of stress applied across the segment but not for its absorption

Term

What is the function of the muscular processes? 

Name two.

Definition

1. attachment of mms and ligs

2. protective function against direct trauma

 

transverse process and spinous process

Term
Describe transverse processes in the different areas of the spine?
Definition

Cervical - foramen for vertebral a.

Thoracic - ant surface facet for rib attachment

Lumbar - short and stout like a beer

Term
Describe spinous processes in different areas of the spine.
Definition

Cervical - absent at 1st level, short, stout and bifid (two pronged) at the lower levels

Thoracic - long, slender with downward direction as passes dorsally greatest in mid-thoracic region

 

Term
Describe blood supply of the vertebral body and arches
Definition

radicular a enter spinal canal

divide into two branches

one to veterbral body above then one below

- enter the foramen of body anterior to the posterior long lig.

- additional source outside canal in neighboring arterial systems specifically in cervical spine the vertebral a

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