Term
How many spinal vertebrae are there? describe
How many discs?
How many mobile segments are there? |
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Definition
33 - vertebrae - 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 3-5 coccygeal
23 - discs
25 - mobile segments |
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Term
| The vertebral column has how many definite curves? What are they? |
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Definition
1. cervical lordosis - convex anteriorly
2. dorsal kyphosis - convex posteriorly
3. lumbar lordosis - convex anteriorly
4. sacral kyphosis - convex posteriorly |
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Term
| When do the curves assume adult proportions? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the primary function of the spinal curves? |
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Definition
Shock absorption and to increase the load bearing capacity.
Allows for 10x greater capacity when compared to a straight column |
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Term
| What forms the curve of the spine? |
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Definition
- the shapes of the vertebral bodies and their interposed discs
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Term
| What is the shape of the discs in the cervical spine? |
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Definition
| cervical discs are thicker anteriorly vs posteriorly making it responsible for cervical lordosis |
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Term
| What is the shape of the thoracic discs? |
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Definition
| the thoracic discs are uniform in height; curvature is due to the shapes of the vertebral bodies |
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Term
| Describe the shape of the lumbar discs? |
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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 |
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Term
| What extrinsic factors can modify the degree of curve of the spine? |
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Definition
a. body type
b. weight
c. muscular development
d. posture |
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Term
| Why is there a slight concavity to the persons dominant side refering to handedness? |
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Definition
| increased muscle development on that side of the body |
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Term
| Most lateral curvatures (scoliosis) are due to what? |
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Definition
Either inequalities in
supporting musculature,
shortening of one leg or
joint restrictions.
mild scoliosis is a strengthening rather than a weakening feature |
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Term
Define spinal segment?
aka motion segment |
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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. |
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Term
| What is the functional unit of the spine? |
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Definition
| The spinal segment aka motion segment |
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Term
| What is considered the most typical vertebrae? Why? |
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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 |
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Term
| What are the two portions of a vertebrae? |
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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 |
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Term
| What is the function of the vertebral body? |
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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 |
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Term
What is the function of the muscular processes?
Name two. |
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Definition
1. attachment of mms and ligs
2. protective function against direct trauma
transverse process and spinous process |
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Term
| Describe transverse processes in the different areas of the spine? |
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Definition
Cervical - foramen for vertebral a.
Thoracic - ant surface facet for rib attachment
Lumbar - short and stout like a beer |
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Term
| Describe spinous processes in different areas of the spine. |
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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
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Term
| Describe blood supply of the vertebral body and arches |
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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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