Spinal Column

Question 1

Primary Curves are

Answer 1

Primary Curves are the thoracic and sacral curvatures, which form during the fetal period.

Question 2

Secondary Curves are

Answer 2

Secondary Curves are the cervical and lumbar curvatures, which form after birth as a result of
lifting the head and walking, respectively.

Question 3

Kyphosis is

Answer 3

Kyphosis is an exaggeration of the thoracic curvature, which may occur in the aged due to osteopo- rosis of disc degeneration.

Question 4

Lordosis is

Answer 4

Lordosis is an exaggeration of the lumbar curvature, which may occur as a result of pregnancy, spon- dylolisthesis, or “potbelly.”

Question 5

Scoliosis is

Answer 5

Scoliosis is a complex lateral deviation/torsion, which may occur due to poliomyelitis, a short leg, or hip disease.

Question 6

Herniated Disc Between:
C4 and C5
------
Compressed Nerve Root: 
Dermatome Affected: 
Muscles Affected:
Movement Weakness:
Nerve and Reflex Involved:

Answer 6

Compressed Nerve Root: C5

Dermatome Affected:
C5
Lateral surface of the arm

Muscles Affected:Deltoid

Movement Weakness: Abduction of arm

Nerve and Reflex Involved: Axillary nerve ↓ biceps jerk

Question 7

Herniated Disc Between:
C5 and C6
------
Compressed Nerve Root: 
Dermatome Affected: 
Muscles Affected:
Movement Weakness:
Nerve and Reflex Involved:

Answer 7

Compressed Nerve Root: C6

Dermatome Affected:
C6
Lateral surface of the forearm Thumb
Index finger

Muscles Affected: Biceps Brachialis Brachioradialis

Movement Weakness: Flexion of forearm Supination/pronation

Nerve and Reflex Involved:
Musculocutaneous nerve
↓ biceps jerk
↓ brachioradialis jerk

Question 8

Herniated Disc Between:
C6 and C7
------
Compressed Nerve Root: 
Dermatome Affected: 
Muscles Affected:
Movement Weakness:
Nerve and Reflex Involved:

Answer 8

Compressed Nerve Root: C7

Dermatome Affected: C7 Middle finger

Muscles Affected: Triceps, Wrist extensors

Movement Weakness:
Extension of forearm
Extension of wrist

Nerve and Reflex Involved:
Radial nerve
↓ triceps jerk

Question 9

Herniated Disc Between:
L3 and L4
------
Compressed Nerve Root: 
Dermatome Affected: 
Muscles Affected:
Movement Weakness:
Nerve and Reflex Involved:

Answer 9

Compressed Nerve Root: L4

Dermatome Affected:
L4
Medial surface of the leg

Muscles Affected: Quadriceps

Movement Weakness: Extension of knee

Nerve and Reflex Involved:
Femoral nerve
↓ knee jerk

Question 10

Herniated Disc Between:
L4 and L5
------
Compressed Nerve Root: 
Dermatome Affected: 
Muscles Affected:
Movement Weakness:
Nerve and Reflex Involved:

Answer 10

Compressed Nerve Root: L5

Dermatome Affected: L5
Lateral surface of leg Dorsum of foot
Big toe

Muscles Affected:
Tibialis anterior
Extensor hallucis longus
Extensor digitorum longus

Movement Weakness:
Dorsiflexion of ankle (patient cannot stand on heels)
Extension of toes

Nerve and Reflex Involved:
Common fibular nerve
No reflex loss

Question 11

Herniated Disc Between:
L5 and S1 (most
common)
------
Compressed Nerve Root: 
Dermatome Affected: 
Muscles Affected:
Movement Weakness:
Nerve and Reflex Involved:

Answer 11

Compressed Nerve Root: S1

Dermatome Affected:
S1
Heel Little toe

Muscles Affected:
Gastrocnemius Soleus

Movement Weakness:
Plantar flexion of ankle (patient cannot stand on toes)
Flexion of toes

Nerve and Reflex Involved:
Tibial nerve
↓ ankle jerk