POST-MIDSEM Flashcards
Why do we have arches in the foot?
- space for tendons and neurovascular structures
- stops compression of the nerves/blood vessels/tendons
- increases speed of locomotion (i.e. running requires bigger arch)
- allows for deformable foot which can accomodate different surfaces
What does the navicular drop test assess?
the integrity of the medial longitudinal arch
what is the most commonly fractured tarsal fracture?
= navicular
Describe the distal/inferior tibiofibular joint
is a syndesmosis
between:
- ant. tibiofibular ligament
- post. tibiofibular ligament
- interosseous membrane
Describe the talocrural joint
Synovial hinge joint
Describe the Calcaneopedal unit and what movements it links
- 3D motion of the head of the talus in acetabulum formed by calcaneus, navicular and spring ligament
- links foot pronation and internal rotation
Describe plantar fascia and its function in the foot
- deepest portion of plantar fascia= plantar aponeurosis
- the plantar fascia has twice the tensile strength than other plantar ligaments
- we require a rigid foot for push-off during gait; the plantar fascia pushes the calcaneal tuberosity posteriorly and MTP hyperextension which tenses the plantar aponeurosis which holds the foot rigid for push-off
What is the core control system of the foot? What are the 3 sub-systems?
- control=stability, movement 3 Subsystems: Neural Passive Active
Describe the active subsystem of the core control system of the foot
active subsystem= plantar intrinsic foot muscles
- control the rate and extent of deformation of the arch
- local stabilisers provide a stable base for the large extrinsic muscles, with greater PCSA and moment arms to produce gross motion
- or to resist large external movements during late stance and push off phases
Generally describe the dorsal column pathway
- discriminative touch (localised and 2 point discrimination)
- pressure
- vibratory sense
- conscious proprioception
Generally describe the anterolateral pathway
- nociception
- temperature
- crude touch
Describe Lissauer’s Tract
- some 1st order neurons enter the dorsal horn and synapse
- others divide into ascending and descending branches which travel in the dorsolateral tract before entering the dorsal horn and synapsing
Describe the spinothalamic pathway and where it travels
= spinothalamic to VPL
- conscious awareness of nociception (pain)
Describe the spinomesencephalic pathway and where it travels
= spinomesencephalic to PAG
- descending pain modulation
Describe the spinoreticular pathway and where it travels
= spinoreticular to RF
- arousal/attention
Describe the spinobulbar pathway and where it travels
= spinobulbar to brainstem nuclei
- adaptive responses
Describe the spinohypothalamic pathway and where it travels
= spinohypothalamic to hypothalamus
- autonomic response to nociception
Describe the spinocerebellar tract
- information from skin, muscles and joints to the cerebellum for coordination of movement and to facilitate motor learning
List and describe the 6 steps of the DORSAL COLUMN PATHWAY
- Axons enter the spinal cord from the spinal ganglion and pass directly to ipsilateral posterior column. Caudal fibres (below T6) enter fasciculus gracilis (medial) and rostral fibres (above T6) enter fasciculus cuneatus to ascend.
- These axons terminate in the nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus. From these nuclei, axons of secondary neurons cross the midline as internal arcuate fibres and form the medial lemniscus
- In the rostral medulla, the fibres travel as the medial lemniscus adjacent to the midline
- In the caudal pons, the medial lemniscus flattens horizontally
- As the medial lemniscus continues to ascend through the rostral pons and midbrain; it moves laterally and vertically
- The medial lemniscus terminates in the VPL of the thalamus. From the thalamus, fibres project through the internal capsule and corona radiate to terminate in the primary somatosensory cortex (post central gyrus)
List and describe the 5 steps of the ANTEROLATERAL PATHWAY
- Axons enter the spinal cord from the spinal ganglion, travel up or down 1-2 segments in the Lissauer tract, and then synapse in the posterior horn
- Anterolateral tract in the caudal medulla
- In the rostral medulla, the anterolateral tract lies between the inferior olivary nucleus and the nucleus of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve
- In the pons and midbrain, the anterolateral tract lies lateral to the medial lemniscus
- The anterolateral tract terminates in the VPL of the thalamus. From the thalamus, fibres project through the internal capsule and corona radiate to terminate in the primary somatosensory cortex (post central gyrus)
Where does lateralisation of the visual field occur?
in the optic chiasm
Give the degrees of normal external tibial torsion
20 - 40 degrees
Where do tibial stress fractures occur
- the posteromedial tibia near the junction of the middle and distal third of the bone, this is where the cortex of the shaft is narrow
Compare the relative length of the metatarsals and phalanges of the foot with the metacarpals and phalanges of the hand
- MC are relatively shorter than MT
- phalanges of the hand are longer than phalanges of the foot
- all MC have relatively same thickness/diameter
- 1st MT is thickest of the MT