Week 2 - Lumbar Spine - Muscles and Movements

Question 1

What are the movements of the lumbar spine?

Answer 1

Flexion (approx 50-60 degrees)
Extension (approx 30 degrees)
Side flexion (approx 25 degrees)
Rotation (mean rotation 8-12 degrees in each direction)

Question 2

Rectus Abdominus -Attachments

Answer 2

Xyphoid process, 5-7 costal cartilage

TO pubic symphysis, pubic crest

Question 3

Rectus Abdominus - Actions

Answer 3

Trunk Flexion
CL Rotation
IL rotation
Posterior pelvis rotation

Question 4

External Oblique - Attachments

Answer 4

Outer surfaces of ribs 5-12 and costal cartilages

TO linea alba via rectus sheath, inguinal ligament, anterior 2/3 iliac crest

Question 5

External Oblique - Actions

Answer 5

Trunk flexion
Posterior pelvic tilt
CL trunk rotation
Lateral Flexion

Question 6

Internal Oblique - Attachments

Answer 6

Lateral 2/3 inguinal ligament, anterior 2/3 iliac crest, TLF

TO lower borders of ribs 10-12, linea alba via rectus sheath, pectin pubis

Question 7

Internal Oblique - Actions

Answer 7

Posterior pelvic tilt
Trunk flexion
IL rotation
Lateral flexion

Question 8

Transversus Abdominus - Attachments

Answer 8

Internal surfaces of ribs 7-12 and costal cartilages, TL fascia, Iliac crest, lateral 1/3 inguinal ligament
TO linea alba via rectus sheath, pectin pubis

Question 9

Transversus Abdominus - Actions

Answer 9

Raises intra-abdominal presssure

Stabilising muscle of the lumbar spine

Question 10

Describe the rectus sheath

Answer 10

Tendon sheath, which encloses RA and pyramidal muscles. Extension of tendons of EO, IO and TA

Question 11

Quadratus Lumborum - Attachments

Answer 11

Medial lower border of 12 rib, TP of lumbar verterbrae, Iliolumbar ligament and Iliac crest

Question 12

Quadratus Lumborum - Action

Answer 12

Muscle of inspiration, IL side flexion, lumbar extension

Question 13

Describe the 3 layers of the TLF

Answer 13

Posterior - superficial to erector spinae and attached to spinous processes
Middle - between erector spinae and QL, attached to transverse tips
Anterior layer - deep to QL, attached to anterior of TP

Question 14

Describe the three parts of Erector Spinae

Answer 14

Iliocostalis - to rib angles (lumborum and thoracic)
Longissimus - to TP (Thoracis)
Spinalis - nearest SP (Thoracis)

Question 15

Give the origin of Erector spinae

Answer 15

All three have a common tendinous origin from - lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae, sacrum, posterior aspect of iliac crest, sacroiliac and supraspinous ligaments

Question 16

Actions of Erector Spinae

Answer 16

BL - extension, control of flexion, maintenance of lumbar lordosis
UL - IL lateral flexion, rotation

Question 17

Multifidus - attachments

Answer 17

In lumbar spine - post sacrum, mamillary process lumbar vertebrae, dorsal SI ligaments, PSIS
Insertion - 3 layers, spinous process above dependent on layer
deep - 1
middle - 2/3
superficial - 3-4

Question 18

Give the attachments of the three parts of Erector Spinae

Answer 18

Iliocostalis (lumborum, thoracis and cervicus) - the costal angle of the ribs and the cervical TP.
Longissimus (thoracic, cervicis and capitis) - lower ribs, the TP of C2 – T12, and the mastoid process of the skull
Spinalis (thoracic, cervicis and capitis) - SP of C2, T1-T8 and the occipital bone of the skull.