Anatomy - Spine

Question 1

4 regions of the spine

Answer 1

1. cervical (C1-C7)
2. thoracic (T1-T12)
3. lumbar (L1-L5)
4. sacrococcygeal (9 fused vertebrae in sacrum and coccyx)

Question 2

Functions of the spine

Answer 2

• supports & holds us upright
• houses spinal cord
• allows for flexibility and movement

Question 3

Vertebrae

Answer 3

33 interlocking bones that form the spinal column

Question 4

3 functional components of the vertebrae

Answer 4

• vertebral body: weight bearing
• vertebral arch: protecting the spinal cord
• spinous & transverse processes: ligamanet & muscle attachement

Question 5

Movements from the spine

Answer 5

• flexion (rounding) & extension (lengthening upwards & backwards)
• lateral flexion (side-body bending)
• rotation (twisting)

Most movement occurs in cerval & lumbar spine

Question 6

Discs

Answer 6

22 cushion-like rings

Question 7

Function of the discs

Answer 7

• absorb impact / pressure

- allow for ROM

Question 8

2 layers of the discs

Answer 8

• nucleus pulposus

- annulus fibrosus

Question 9

Function of nucleus pulposus

Answer 9

• absorbs impact
• distributes pressure
• separates the two vertebra

Question 10

Specifics of nucleus pulposus

Answer 10

• proteins contained within, if released act as an irritant to nearby nerves
• fluid decreases with age
• imbibes with small movements
• expands with fluid overnight

Question 11

Specifics of discs

Answer 11

• no direct blood flow
• receives nutrition through movement (=imbibe / imbibing)
• expand with fluid at night (taller in the morning)

Question 12

Function of annulus fibrosus

Answer 12

• holds the nucleus in

- acts as a ligament

Question 13

Specifics of annulus fibrosus

Answer 13

• attaches to the vertebrae above & below

Question 14

Common disc problems

Answer 14

• degenerated dics
• bone spurs
• bulging disc
• herniated disc
• spinal stenosis
• spondylolisthesis

Question 15

Herniated disc

Answer 15

nucleus leaking through annulus, putting pressure on nerves (worst case scenario ‘ruptured disc’)

Question 16

Bulging disc

Answer 16

nucleus pushing into annulus

Question 17

Bone spurs

Answer 17

bones rubbing into each other, or muscles pulling, causing abnormal bony formations in vertebra

Question 18

Degenerated disc

Answer 18

• discs flatten over time with age, reducing the amount of space between the vertebrae
• lumbar and cervical mostly
• one of the main causes for lower back pain

Question 19

Spinal stenosis

Answer 19

narrowing the spinal canal, usually people over 50 yrs

Question 20

Spondylolisthesis

Answer 20

forward slipping of vertebra, usually L4 or L5

Question 21

Postural conditions

Answer 21

• sway back: excessive posterior tilt of the pelvis
• Lumbar Lordosis: excessive anterior tilt of the pelvis
• Thoracic Kyphosis: rounded thoracic, shoulders slumping
• Tech neck: forward head carriage
• Scoliosis: S shaped imbalance in the spine, often combined with uneven shoulders or hips

Question 22

Back pain & nerves

Answer 22

• 31 pairs of spinal nerves branch from the spinal cord

- teach elongation of spine to avoid compressed vertebrae that pinch on the nerves causing pain and muscular spasm

Question 23

Yoga & Spine

Answer 23

• when done right, yoga decompresses the spine, providing a feeling of space
• helps to alleviate back pain from different spinal conditions & general lower-back pain

Question 24

Vagus nerve

Answer 24

responsible for signaling the body to relax