Module 5 Flashcards
Where may pain from sitting originate from?
the sacrum and coccyx of the vertebral column
Why may pain from sitting originate at the sacrum and coccyx?
because these structures are weight-bearing, and are integral to functions such as walking, standing and sitting
The Sacrum
large bone located at the terminal part of the vertebral column
- very thick, which supports and transmits weight of the body
- composed of 5 fused sacral vertebrae
What aspect of the body pelvis does the sacrum form?
the posterior aspect
What does the sacrum articulate with?
- the ilium bilaterally
- the 5th lumbar vertebrae (L5) at its base
Features of the sacrum
- Sacral canal
- Sacral foramina
- Sacral cornua
- Promonotory
Sacral Canal
a continuation of the vertebral canal terminating at the sacral hiatus
- protect the cauda equina and the filum terminale
Sacral foramina
4 sacral foramina are located lateral to the fused sacral bodies on both the anterior and posterior surface
- decrease in size - the most superior foramina being the largest
What exits the sacral foramina?
the anterior and posterior rami
Sacral cornua
two bony processes
- palpated by clinicians as an anatomical landmark when administering injections into the sacral hiatus
Promontory
where the upper border of the sacrum articulated with the L5 vertebral body - the promontory projects forward, decreasing the anteroposterior diameter of the pelvic brim
Female sacral promontory
considerable obstetric importance
- used when measuring the size of the pelvis
The Coccyx
composed of 4 fused rudimentary coccygeal vertebrae, which articulate with the sacrum superiorly at the sacrococcygeal joint
- much smaller than the sacrum
- attachment site for ligaments and muscles (pelvic floor muscles)
“tailbone”
Movement at the coccyx
small and variable amount of flexion and extension occurs at the sacrococcygeal joint, especially when sitting
Moving superior to inferior down the vertebral column, what changes?
The vertebral body size increases, and the vertebral foramen size decreases
Why does the size of the vertebral body increase moving superior to inferior?
to support the increasing weight
Why does the size of the vertebral foramen decrease moving from superior to inferior?
to support the spinal cord diameter decreasing as spinal nerves exit to their respective regions of the body
What happens with a smaller vertebral foramen?
blockage to the foramen could irritate the nerves in the lumbar region
- resulting in lumbar back pain
Accessory ligaments of the vertebral column
strong fibrous bands of tissue that stabilize the vertebral column and protect the intervertebral discs
3 major ligaments of the vertebral column involved in flexion and extension of the back
- Ligamentum Flavum
- Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
- Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Calcified ligament
ligaments often calcify later in life causing a loss of flexibility
- if calcified ligaments irritate the neighbouring spinal nerves it can cause chronic pain
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
the narrowing of the vertebral canal in the lumbar region
What is lumbar spinal stenosis caused by?
- extra bone and/or tissue growth in the vertebral canal from the calcification of the ligamentum flavum
- outgrowth of bone
- overcrowding can irritate the spinal cord and associated spinal nerves
Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis
- compression of SC causes numbess and weakness in lower limb
- pain localized to the lower back
- symptoms are worse when weight bearing (walking and standing)
- but are relieved when bending forward