Scoliosis (Quiz 1/Test 1)

Question 1

define curves

Answer 1

normal spinal deviations from straight (4 curves are considered normal)

Question 2

define curvature

Answer 2

abnormal deviations from normal spinal architecture

Question 3

What are the boundaries of the cervical curve?

Answer 3

occiput to superior epiphysis of T1

Question 4

Is the cervical curve convex on the anterior or posterior aspect?

Answer 4

anterior aspect

Question 5

What spinal curves are mobile and flexible?

Answer 5

cervical, thoracic, lumbar

Question 6

What are the boundaries of the thoracic curve?

Answer 6

T1 to superior epiphysis of T12

Question 7

Is the thoracic curve convex on the anterior or posterior aspect?

Answer 7

posterior aspect

Question 8

What are the boundaries of the lumbar curve?

Answer 8

T12 to superior epiphysis of S1

Question 9

Is the lumbar curve convex on the anterior or posterior aspect?

Answer 9

anterior aspect

Question 10

What are the boundaries of the sacrococcygeal curve?

Answer 10

S1 to Cx5

Question 11

Is the sacrococcygeal curve convex on the anterior or posterior aspect?

Answer 11

posterior aspect

Question 12

What curve is immobile/solid bone?

Answer 12

sacrococcygeal curve

Question 13

What are the 2 convex posterior curves?

Answer 13

thoracic and sacrococcygeal curves (primary/accommodation curves)

Question 14

What are the 2 convex anterior curves?

Answer 14

cervical and lumbar curves (secondary/compensation curves)

Question 14

When do primary/accommodation curves develop?

Answer 14

in fetal spine/development
-accommodates fetus and uterus, and thoracic/pelvic viscera

aka this is also called kyphotic curves
-kypho= bent forward

Question 15

When do secondary/compensation curves develop?

Answer 15

after birth due to gravity and posture
-cervical spine begins development during first 6 months when baby raises head up
-posterior extensor muscles mature by 1 y/o and pelvis will extend/femurs turn inward
-lumbar curve develops last
-8-12 months crawling sags the spine
-12-18 months toddler is walking
-fully developed 6-8 years old
-compensation curves help develop posture, aka also called lordotic curves (lordo= bent backward)

Question 16

Are AP curves in the coronal plane normal?

Answer 16

no, normal is bilateral symmetry, there can only be slight physiologic upper thoracic curve

Question 17

What are the causes of AP curves in the coronal plane?

Answer 17

-heart mass = right push
-right handed= right pull (mild right convexity)

Question 18

define lordosis

Answer 18

abnormally bent backwards

Question 19

Where is lordosis commonly found?

Answer 19

most likely in cervical spine, but lumbar lordosis (swayback) is also common

Question 20

What is an exaggeration of a normal lordotic curve called?

Answer 20

hyperlordotic

Question 21

What is a decreased lordotic curve called?

Answer 21

hypolordotic

Question 22

What is a reversed lordotic curve called?

Answer 22

frank kyphosis

Question 23

define kyphosis

Answer 23

abnormally bent forward

Question 24

Where is kyphosis usually seen?

Answer 24

thoracic spine but can also be seen in sacral spine

Question 25

What is an exaggeration of a kyphotic curve called?

Answer 25

hyperkyphotic curvature

Question 26

What is a decreased kyphotic curve called?

Answer 26

hypokyphotic curve

Question 27

What is a reversed kyphotic curve called?

Answer 27

frank lordosis

Question 28

define scoliosis

Answer 28

lateral deviation of 3+ segments from the midline

Question 29

define misalignment

Answer 29

lateral deviation of 1-2 segments

Question 30

What is rotatory scoliosis?

Answer 30

-spinouses rotate into the concavity of the curvature
-most common type of scoliosis (85% of cases)
-normal rotatory mechanism (NRM) being expressed

Question 31

What is the most common type of scoliosis?

Answer 31

rotatory scoliosis

Question 32

What is severe rotatory scoliosis?

Answer 32

-spinouses appear extremely rotated into the concavity
-concave side muscle spasm exaggerates normal rotatory mechanism
-acutely painful
-relaxes into a rotatory scoliosis

Question 33

What is simple scoliosis?

Answer 33

-spinouses appear unrotated
-convex side muscle spasm (painful) overcomes normal rotatory mechanism
-unrotated appearance called “simple”
-more complex than rotatory scoliosis (ironically)
-acute, temporary, rare
-relaxes into a rotatory scoliosis

Question 34

What is a severe simple scoliosis?

Answer 34

-spinouses rotate into the convexity
-severe convex side muscle spasm reverses normal rotatory mechanism
-acutely painful
-temporary, very rare
-relaxes into a simple scoliosis

Question 35

What is a scoliosis called if it is convex to the left?

Answer 35

levoscoliosis

Question 36

What is a scoliosis called if it is convex to the right?

Answer 36

dextroscoliosis

Question 37

What are some causes of scoliosis?

Answer 37

-spinal column must be balanced, any asymmetrical force will bend spine and body compensates (spine recurved towards midline)
-trauma (broken leg results in short femur)
-congenital deformity (hemivertebra)
-occupational (mail carrier)
-antalgic posture (away from pain)
-subluxation (C1 produces unlevel head, CNS corrects)
-idiopathic (adolescent females????)

scoliosis is usually an adaptive compensation!!!