Exam 2 Thoracic Spine

Question 1

T/F: the thoracic spine is a transition area between the cervical and lumbar areas, is designed for rigidity and protection of the thoracic viscera, and is the least mobile region of the spinal column.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What additional articulations make the thoracic vertebrae unique?

Answer 2

rib articulations

Question 3

T/F: the thoracic spine is especially prone to chornic postural problems and myofascial pain syndromes.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Which vertebrae does the sympathetic trunk lie on?

Answer 4

T1-L2

Question 5

T/F: biomechanical changes to the thoracic spine may result in effects to the sympatheti nervous system.

Answer 5

True (T1-L2)

Question 6

T/F: Thoracic spinous processes are short and thin.

Answer 6

False; long and slender

Question 7

T/f: Thoracic spinous processes limit extension.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

In which region of the thoracic spine do the spinous processes typically overlap?

Answer 8

midthoraacic

Question 9

T/F: the TVPs of thoracic vertebrae generally have a convex facet on the anterior side.

Answer 9

False; concave facet on anterior side

Question 10

What is the facet angle orientation on average in the thoracics?

Answer 10

60 degrees from the horizontal plane and 20 degrees from the frontal plane (Y axis rotation)

Question 11

T/F: Thoracic facets are oriented at a relatively steep angle.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

T/F: Thoracic IVDs have a greater disc-to-height ratio than cervical IVDs.

Answer 12

False; thoracics have smallest ratio of the spine (disc to body height ratio) This low ratio contributes to the lack of flexibility

Question 13

T/F: The nucleus is more centrally located within the annulus of the thoracics than the other regions of the spine.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is the average angle of thoracic kyphosis in a healthy spine?

Answer 14

45 degrees (range of 20-50)

Question 15

T/F: a thoracic kyphotic curve of greater than 55 degrees is considered hypokyphotic.

Answer 15

False; hyperkyphotic

Question 16

What anatomy is most responsile for maintaining the primary, structural curve of the thoracic spine?

Answer 16

wedge-shaped vertebral bodies

Question 17

Where is the apex of the thoracic curve?

Answer 17

T6-T7

Question 18

Alterations in the primary thoracic curve are often associated with chronic stretch of which muscles?

Answer 18

trapezius, posterior back, and neck muscles

Question 19

Juvenile kyphosis and osteoporosis can result in an increased thoracic kyphosis. What is the other name for Juvenile kyphosis?

Answer 19

Scheuerman’s disease

Question 20

How does increasing the thoracic kyposis interfere with normal physiologicl functioning? Think generally.

Answer 20

crowds thoracic viscera

Question 21

What motion is most limited in the thoracic spine?

Answer 21

extension (impaction of articular and spinous processes)

Question 22

T/F: Both flexion and extension are restricted in the thoracic spine.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

What segments of the thoracic spine have the greatest combined flexion/extension?

Answer 23

T10-L1 (Especially T11-L1)

slide 11

Question 24

What movement is coupled with thetaX in the thoracics?

Answer 24

slight +/- Z translation

Question 25

Which area of the thoracic spine has the greates range of lateral bending (thetaZ)?

Answer 25

T11-T12

Question 26

T/F: The greatest range of axial rotation in the thoracic spine exists in the lower thoracics (T9-T12).

Answer 26

False; unlike lateral bend and flexion/extension, the upper thoracic exhibit the greatest axial rotation.

Question 27

Where in the thoracic spine is the greatest rotation observed while walking?

Answer 27

middle thoracics

Question 28

T/F: ThetaZ is always coupled with ThetaY in the thoracic spine, especially in the upper thoracics.

Answer 28

True; lateral bending and axial rotation are coupled in thoracics

Question 29

T/F: During lateral bending (in the thoracics) the spinous processes will go to the contralateral side just like in the cervicals.

Answer 29

False; contralateral in T1-T4 contralateral OR ipsilateral in T5-T8 ipsilateral in T9-T12 (like lumbars)

Question 30

Does the rib cage add to the spinal stability or is it just for protecting vital organs?

Answer 30

rib cage plays a significant role in stabilization

Question 31

During what motion does the rib cage (with sternum) offer the most support to the spinal column?

Answer 31

extension (-thetaX)

Question 32

T/F: The rib cage increases Y axis stability x10.

Answer 32

False; x4

Question 33

What two groups can the rib articulations be divided into?

Answer 33

costovertebral joints and costotransverse joints

Question 34

What type of joint connects the heads of the ribs to the vertebrae? What type of joint connects the necks and tubercles of the ribs to the vertebrae?

Answer 34

costovertebral joints; | costotransverse (connects to TVPs)

Question 35

Which ribs articulate with only a single vertebrae rather than two adjacent vertebral bodies?

Answer 35

1, 10, 11, and 12

Question 36

Which ribs do not have costotransverse articulations?

Answer 36

11 and 12

Question 37

T/F: Both costovertebral and costotransverse joints are each tightly secured by ligaments and both are true synovial joints.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

T/F: Costotransverse joints are surrounded by a joint capsule and are prone to the same pathologic conditions as other synovial joints, including subluxation.

Answer 38

True

Question 39

Which ribs connect to the sternum directly? via the costocartilage? which are free floating?

Answer 39

1-7; 8-10; 11-12

Question 40

T/F: Ribs move with the thoracic spine during lateral flexion, flexion, and extension.

Answer 40

True

Question 41

What vertebrae are considered part of the Thoracocervical Junction?

Answer 41

C6-T3

Question 42

T/F: lateral flexion is coupled with ipsilateral rotation in the thoracics just like in the cervicals.

Answer 42

True

Question 43

What area is structurally and functionally related to the neurovascular structures of the upper extremities, because this area forms the thoracic outlet?

Answer 43

Thoracocervical Junction (C6-T3)

Question 44

Because of the presence of certain muscles, unique characteristic distribution of body fat, and general structural characteristics for transition, what area has been deemed a "difficult area to adjust?"

Answer 44

thoracocervical junction (C6-T3)

Question 45

What vertebrae are part of the Thoracolumbar Junction?

Answer 45

T10-L1

Question 46

What is the most significant structural characteristic of the thoracolumbar junction?

Answer 46

the change from the coronal facet plane in the T-spine to the sagittal plane facets in the L-spine

Question 47

Where does the facet transition of the thoracolumbar junction typically occur?

Answer 47

T11-T12 but can occur anywhere from T10-L1

Question 48

T/F: Dysfunction within the lower T-spine may refer pain to the posterolateral buttock, posterior iliac crest, and groin area, accounting for up to as high as 60% of chronic and acute back pain.

Answer 48

True (according to Maigne)