Intro To Vertebral Column Flashcards by Hannah Bledsoe

Vertebral column function

Meet the demands of mobility and stability of the trunk and extremities
Protect the spinal cord

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Advantage of a curved vertebral column

Increased ability to resist comprehensive load

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A Motion segment consists of

2 adjacent vertebrae
Intervertebral disc
Any Soft tissue that secures them

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A typical vertebra has anterior and posterior parts. What is the posterior part and what does it consist of?

Vertebral arch:
Pedicles
Posterior elements- laminae, articular cartilage, spinous process, and transverse processes

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The weight bearing structure of the spinal column is

Vertebral body

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What portion of the vertebra transmits forces from the articular, transverse, and spinous processes to the pedicles?

Lamina

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Function of the pedicle

Transmit bending forces from the posterior elements to the vertebral body

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The spinous process serves as a muscle attachment point but it also has these functions

Provides mechanical lever

Provides a bony block to motion

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3 parts of the Intervertebral disc

Nucleus purposes
Annulus fibrosis
Vertebral end plate

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Size of the intervertebral disc is related to what 2 things?

Amount of motion

Magnitude of load being transmitted

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The “pulp-like gel” center if an IV disc is called the

Nucleus pulposus

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What is the annulus fibrosus?

Fibrous outer ring of the IV disc composed of collagen and elastin

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The annulus fibrosus is arranged in 15-25 layers. What is their orientation?

Fibers are oriented 65 degrees from vertical

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What is the cartilage layer that covers the superior and inferior surfaces of the intervertebral disc called?

Vertebral end plate

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What is the vertebral end plate attached to?

Annulus fibrosus

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The vertebral end plate is ______ in children and ranges from ____ to ______ mm in adults.

Larger

0.6-1

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Function of intervertebral discs

Separate 2 vertebral bodies (increasing available motion)
Transmits load from one vertebral body to the next
Stabilization of the spine
Provide space between vertebra for exiting spinal nerves

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Available motion in a motion segment in the spine is a reflection of _________________ to _________________ ratio. The ______________ the ratio, the greater the movement.

Disc height to vertebral body height

Larger

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What property of the disc allows for uniform distribution of force through the joint?

The fluid property

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The _____________________ is capable of resisting distraction, shear, and torsion to stabilize the spine.

Annulus fibrosus

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Slouching produces _____________ disc pressure than sitting erect because the load is moved to the front of the body.

Greater

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What type of joint are the intervertebral joints

Symphysis type cartilaginous jt

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Intervertebral joints allow for what types of motions

Gliding
Distraction/compression
Rotation (tilt)

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Zygapophsyseal joints are _____________ that articulate _________________ with ______________ of vertebrae

Synovial

Superior articular facets with inferior articulating facets

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What determines available motion of a zygopophyseal (facet) jt?

Shape and orientation of articular processes and facets

Facet joints don’t follow the concave-convex rule. Instead they have _________________________ to increase joint congruency

Fibroadipose meniscoids

These ligaments limit forward flexion of the spine (4)

Posterior longitudinal ligament Ligamentum flavum Interspinous ligaments Supraspinous ligaments

What ligament limits extension of the spine?

Anterior longitudinal ligament

What ligament limits contralateral lateral flexion?

Intertransverse ligaments

There is a high incidence of posterolateral disc herniations in the lumbar spine because the ____________________ ligament in this area ____________ (which doesn’t provide as much support to the IV discs).

Posterior longitudinal Narrows

Zygapophyseal jt capsules are strongest in the _______________ region & ____________ junction

Thoracolumbar | Cervicothoracic

Zygapophyseal joint capsules functions

Limit motion | Add stability

Zygapophyseal jt capsules primarily restrain ____________________ & ___________, and are vulnerable to __________

Cervical rotation and side bending & Lumbar rotation Hyper flexion

Osteokinematics of the vertebral column

Flexion Extension Lateral flexion Rotation

In the vertebral column, motions are often ____________. Best shown with _____________&__________

Coupled (consistent association of one motion about an axis with another motion around a different axis) Lateral flexion and rotation

Coupling patterns vary based on:

Spinal posture Spinal curvature Orientation of articulating facets Fluidity/elasticity/thickness of the disc Extensibility of muscles, ligaments, and joint capsules

Intervertebral discs add significant ROM by allowing for vertebrae to __________________ secondary to ______________ disc between them

Rock/tilt on eachother Deformable

In the intervertebral joint ________________ restrains motion

Annulus fibrosus

Intervertebral joints differ in ________________, distribute _______, and create ________________________.

Magnitude of movement Load Space for movement and passage of spinal nerve roots

Facet jts are considered the “__________________” because they determine_______________________.

Train tracks | Direction of movement

The Osteokinematics if a motion segment is a description of movement based on the direction of the __________ segment’s __________ portion.

Superior | Antierior

Describe the Osteokinematics of the spine

Flex/ext Lat flex Rotation

What are some typical Arthrokinematics seen in the Intervertebral jts

Approximation/distraction Sliding Tipping

What are some typical Arthrokinematics seen in the facet jts

Approximation/gapping | Sliding

Describe the Kinematics of FLEXION in the spine

Anterior tilt and anterior glide of the superior vertebra

Describe how flexion in the spine will change the posterior portion of a motion segment

Widens the the intervertebral foramen and separation of spinous processes

Describe what changes in the anterior portion of a motion segment during FLEXION

Compression of the annulus fibrosus and posterior strength of the annulus fibrosus

Excessive flexion of a motion segment is limited secondary to:

``` Supraspinous and interspinous ligaments Ligamentum flavum Posterior longitudinal ligament Posterior annulus fibrosus Back extensor muscles ```

Describe the Kinematics of EXTENSION in the spine

Posterior tilt and posterior glide of superior vertebra

What happens in the anterior portion of a motion segment during extension?

Anterior stretching of the annulus fibrosus

Describe what happens in the posterior portion of a motion segment during extension?

Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen Spinous processes approximate Compression of posterior annulus fibrosus

Excessive extension of the spine is limited secondary to:

``` Bony contact of spinous processes Tension in facet joint capsule Anterior longitudinal ligament Anterior annulus fibrosus Anterior trunk muscles ```

Describe the Kinematics of lateral flexion

Lateral tilt, rotation, and translation of the superior vertebra over the vertebra below

Describe how the intervertebral foramen and annulus fibrosus change during lateral flexion

Intervertebral foramen: Widens on the contralateral side and narrowing on the ipsilateral side Annulus fibrosus: stretches on contralateral side and compression on ipsilateral

Direction of rotation during lateral flexion differs slightly in different regions because…

Or the orientation of the facets

Excessive lateral flexion is limited secondary to

Annulus fibrosus Inter transverses ligament Trunk muscles

Describe general Kinematics of rotation in the spine

Approximation of contralateral facet jt and distraction of ipsilateral facet jt

The vertebral column is subject to what types of forces?

``` Axial compression Tension Bending Torsion Shear ```

The ability of the vertebral column to resist these forces depend on what factors?

``` Type/duration/rate of loading Persons age Posture Various structure elements Integrity of nervous system ```

Functions of spinal musculature

Controls posture Stabilize axial skeleton Protect spinal cord and internal organs Generate Intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal pressure Produce torque for movement of the body Mobility of head and neck for optimal place of eyes, ears, and nose

Which ligament reinforces the posterior proportion of the annulus fibrosus

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Ligamentum flavum limits motion the most in what region of the spine?

Lumbar

How does the anterior longitudinal ligament limit extension?

Reinforces anterior portion of annulus fibrosus and anterior aspect of intervertebral disc