Where is the nucleus of the disc located in the lower cervical
slightly posterior to center
What is the SROM of the flexion/extension for lower cervicals
average of 15˚ per segment
Greatest in mid cervicals
lowest at C7-T1
What is the IAR for flexion/extension of the lower cervicals
anterior portion of the subadjacent vertebra
What is the pattern of motion during flexion/extension in the lower cervicals
coupled translation is greater in the upper cervical spine than in the lower which gives the lower a steeper arch compared to the upper
What happens as the facet slide apart/together in flexion/extension
Flexion: stretching, gapping
Extension: maximal compression at the inferior margins, with som distraction at the superior margins
Whats the SROM for lower cervicals in lateral flexion
7-8˚
Whats the pattern of motion for lateral flexion in the lower cervicals
Lateral bending coupled with ipsilateral axial rotation
–degree of coupled rotation decreases in a cephalic to caudal direction
What happens at the joint articulation of the lower cervicals during lateral flexion
inferior facet glides down and medially on the side of lateral flexion, and up and laterally on the contralateral side
What is the SROM of rotation in the lower cervicals
7˚
This significantly decreases at C7-T1
What is the IAR for rotation of the lower cervicals
contralateral subadjacent vertebral body
What is the pattern of motion in rotation of the lower cervicals
Predominately axial rotation coupled with ipsilateral lateral flexion
–though not as strong as the coupled rotation noted with cervical lateral flexion
What occurs at the joint articulation during rotation of the lower cervicals
ipsilateral inferior facet rides down and medially
contralateral inferior facet rides up and laterally
What is the normal movement that causes movement in the cervical spine
movement of the head
What muscles initiate flexion of the lower cervicals
concentric activity of the anterior cervical muscles
What muscles control flexion in the cervical spine
eccentric activity of the semispinalis, longissimus, and splenius
What limits flexion in the lower cervicals
eccentric motion from posterior muscles elastic limits of myofascial tissue ligaments joint capsule posterior IVD distraction anterior IVD compression chin hitting chest
What muscles initiate extension of the lower cervicals
concentric activity of posterior cervical muscles
What controls the extension of the lower cervicals
eccentric activity of SCM, scaleni, and longus capitis
What limits extension in the lower cervicals
eccentric activity of the anterior muscles elastic limits of myofascial tissue anterior IVD distraction posterior IVD distraction ALL Joint capsule facet joint approximation
What initiates lateral flexion in the lower cervicals
ipsilateral concentric contraction of the lateral flexors
What is lateral flexion of the lower cervicals controlled by
contralateral eccentric contraction of lateral flexors
What limits lateral flexion of the lower cervicals
contralateral eccentric muscle activity elastic limits of the myofascial tissue tension of contralateral joint capsule contralateral IVD distraction Ipsilateral IVD compression Ipsilateral facet joint approximation
What initiates rotation of the lower cervicals
ipsilateral splenius capitis, cervicis, and longissimus cervicis
contralateral semispinalis cervicis, SCM
What controls rotationof the lower cervicals
contralateral spenius capitis and cervicis, longissimus cervicis
ipsilateral semispinalis cervicis, scaleni, and SCM
What limits rotation of the lower cervicals
capsular and periarticular ligaments
segmental muscles
facet joints
What muscles produce contralateral rotation
multifidus, rotatores
