Cervical and Thoracic Spine Flashcards
(33 cards)
What peripheral nerves arise from the roots of the brachial plexus?
Long thoracic nerve
Dorsal scapular nerve
A lesion to the posterior cord can lead to:
Atrophy and motor function of:
Arm Extensors, Wrist Extensors, Deltoid, Teres Minor
Where does the brain stem exit to become the spinal cord?
The foramen magnum
True or False? The C8 spinal nerve exits above the C7 vertebrae
False; the C8 spinal nerve below the C7 vertebrae
How many roots, trunks, divisions, cords and branches are there in the brachial plexus?
Roots: 5, Trunks: 3, Divisions: 6, Cords: 3, Branches: 5 (7 with suprascapular and lateral pectoral)
Name the parts of the atlas vertebra.
Transverse foramina Superior facets Anterior tubercle and posterior tubercle Groove for vertebral artery and first cervical nerve Anterior arch Posterior arch
What is the ligamentum flavum?
A pair of elastic ligaments connecting the lamina of one vertebra to the lamina of the vertebra above it; limits flexion and rotation of the spine
What are the muscles that make up the superficial layer of the extensor cervical musculature?
Splenius capitis and splenius cervicis
What are deep to the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis?
Semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis
What functions are the sternocleidomastoid responsible for?
Contralateral rotation and Ipsilateral flexion
What structure passes through the scalene group?
Brachial plexus through the anterior and middle scalenes
What is a positive sign for the Babinski Test?
Great toe extension and splaying of the other toes
Where is Erb’s point located and why is it important in our clinical evaluation?
Erb’s point is located above the clavicle in front of the transverse process of the sixth cervical vertebra. It represents the most superficial passage of the brachial plexus.
What does the Spurling test test for?
Nerve root impingement by narrowing of the neural foramina
What does the shoulder abduction test test for? What is a positive sign for this test?
Herniated disk of nerve root compression; decrease in the patient’s symptoms secondary to decreased tension on the involved nerve root
How is thoracic outlet syndrome caused?
Pressure on the trunks and medial cord of the brachial plexus, the subclavian artery and the subclavian vein
What is the correct way to diagnose a thoracic outlet syndrome pathology?
Rule out cervical disk herniation, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, vascular occlusive disease, malignant tumors, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Raynaud’s disease, complex regional pain syndrome and angina!
What is the percentage of individuals who display the clinical signs and symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome?
10%
What could predispose the onset of thoracic outlet syndrome?
Poor posture, drooping shoulders that depress the clavicles, forward shoulder posture, prolonged pressure on the upper surfaces of the first rib
How many ribs exist in the human body?
12 pairs of ribs: (1-7 true ribs, 8-10 false ribs, 11-12 floating ribs)
What innervates the diaphragm?
The phrenic nerve (C3, C4, C5)
Name the parts of the respiratory tract.
Trachea –> principal bronchi
Left splits into two segmental bronchi
Right splits into three segmental bronchi
Bronchi then splits into bronchioles
What forms the pleural cavity?
Parietal pleura (lining the thoracic wall) Visceral pleura (surrounds the lungs)
Name the cardiovascular pathway:
Right atrium to right ventricle to the lungs to the left atrium to the left ventricle to the ascending aorta and then to the aortic arch up the ascending aorta, carotid and subclavian arteries and then to the descending aorta and the abdominal aorta
