Back and Spine

• What is the posterior surface of the trunk called?

  Back
• What are the primary curves of the spinal column?

  Thoracic and sacral
• What are the secondary curves of the spinal column?

  Cervical and lumbar
• How many vertebrae are in the vertebral column?

  33 vertebrae
• How many cervical vertebrae are there?

  7 cervical vertebrae
• How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

  12 thoracic vertebrae
• How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

  5 lumbar vertebrae
• How many sacral vertebrae are there?

  5 sacral vertebrae (fused)
• How many coccygeal vertebrae are there?

  4 coccygeal vertebrae (fused)
• What are the parts of a typical vertebra?

  • Body
  • Pedicle
  • Lamina
  • Spinous process
  • Transverse process
  • Articular facet (superior and inferior)
  • Intervertebral foramen
  • Vertebral canal
• What are the atypical cervical vertebrae?

  1, 2, 7
• What is a characteristic of cervical vertebrae?

  IVDs are thicker than vertebral bodies
• What is a characteristic of thoracic vertebrae?

  IVDs are thin relative to body
• What is a characteristic of lumbar vertebrae?

  Has the largest IVDs
• What is the shape of the body of cervical vertebrae?

  Small and wider laterally than anteroposteriorly
• What is a feature of thoracic vertebrae?

  Heart-shaped body with costal facets
• What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in cervical vertebrae?

  Triangular and largest
• What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in thoracic vertebrae?

  Circular and smallest
• What is a feature of lumbar vertebrae?

  Massive, kidney-shaped body
• What is the shape of the vertebral foramen in lumbar vertebrae?

  Triangular and large
• What is a feature of the spinous process in cervical vertebrae?

  Short and bifid
• What is a feature of the spinous process in thoracic vertebrae?

  Long and slopes postero-inferiorly
• What is a feature of the spinous process in lumbar vertebrae?

  Short, sturdy, and hatchet-shaped
• What are the components of an intervertebral disc?

  • Fibrocartilage
  • 23 IVDs
  • 25% of length of VC
  • 2 parts:

  1. Annulus fibrosis
  2. Nucleus pulposus
• How do IVDs vary in thickness?

  Thickest relative to size of bodies they connect
• What is the relationship between IVD thickness and range of movement?

  Thickness relates to range of movement
• What are the joints of the vertebral bodies?

  1. Intervertebral joint
  2. Uncovertebral / Luschka joint
• What are the joints of the vertebral arches?

  1. Zygapophyseal / facet joint
• What is the bilateral action of the rectus abdominis?

  Trunk flexion
• What is the bilateral action of the psoas major?

  Trunk flexion
• Which muscles are involved in trunk extension?

  Erector spinae, multifidus, semispinalis thoracis
• What is the unilateral action of the iliocostalis thoracis?

  Trunk lateral flexion
• Which muscles contribute to trunk lateral flexion?

  Iliocostalis thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus thoracis
• What is the unilateral action of the external and internal oblique muscles?

  Trunk lateral flexion
• Which muscles are involved in trunk rotation?

  Internal oblique, external oblique, rotatores
• What are the functions of the superficial muscles in limb movement?

  • Produce limb movement
  • Include trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae, rhomboids
• What are the functions of the muscles that produce respiratory movements?

  • Include serratus posterior superior and inferior
  • Assist in breathing
• What are the roles of the erector spinae muscles?

  • Maintain posture
  • Control movements of spinal column
• What is the innervation of the muscles discussed?

  Posterior rami of spinal nerves
• What does the inter-transverse ligament limit?

  Lateral flexion