Anatomy of the Spine Quiz

Back and Spinal Injuries - Unit 8

• Back and spinal injuries cover various anatomical segments and conditions.

• The bones of the spine are called vertebrae.

• The four segments of the spine are cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral.

• The cervical spine has 7 vertebrae.

• The thoracic spine has 12 vertebrae.

• The lumbar spine has 5 vertebrae.

• The sacral spine is comprised of 5 fused vertebrae.

• The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum to the ilium.

• A neutral spine has natural spinal curves that are neither exaggerated nor flattened.

• This position is the strongest structurally.

• Maintaining a neutral spine aligns the spine's natural curves for optimal strength and support.

• Normal anatomical alignment combined with balanced muscle strength keeps the spine aligned.

• The spinal curves include cervical lordosis (anterior curve), thoracic kyphosis (posterior curve), lumbar lordosis (anterior curve), and sacral kyphosis (posterior curve).

• Excessive posterior/backward curvature is called kyphosis, typically seen in the thoracic and sacral curves.

• Excessive forward curvature is called lordosis, seen commonly in the lumbar or cervical spine.

• Vertebrae have a body, transverse processes, spinous processes, vertebral foramen/canal, and facets.

• Vertebral functions include protecting the spinal cord, supporting upright posture for walking, and serving as an attachment site for muscles.

• Facet joints are synovial joints in the spine, allowing for flexibility and movement.

• Healthy facet joints have cartilage, allowing smooth movement without grinding.

• Each facet joint has a capsule containing synovial fluid for nourishment and lubrication.

• Back cracking occurs due to gas bubble release (cavitation) in the joints.

• Common causes include tight muscles, joint misalignment, and worn cartilage.

• Intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers, keeping vertebrae separated to increase flexibility, and providing space for nerve exit.

• Discs have two parts: the annulus fibrosus (tough outer layer) and the nucleus pulposus (flexible inner layer).

• Shortcomings (or problems) of the discs include a poor blood supply, resulting in poor healing ability.

• The discs compress over time, contributing to our shrinking as we age.

• Major back muscles include the trapezius (upper, middle, and lower portions), latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, rhomboids (major and minor).

• The trapezius helps to elevate the shoulders and rotates, extends, and laterally flexes the neck.

• The latissimus dorsi adducts, extends, and medially rotates the shoulder.

• The erector spinae extends and laterally flexes the trunk.

• The rhomboids retract and stabilize the scapula.

• The scalenes assist with cervical flexion and breathing.

• The sternocleidomastoid laterally flexes and rotates the neck.

• The levator scapulae elevates the scapula.

• Muscles of the abdomen - including rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques - help support trunk movement.

• Acute spinal injuries can include ligament sprains, muscle strains, and intervertebral disc injuries.

• Ligament sprains often result from trunk flexion with rotation.

• Muscle strains, a common injury type, often cause pain lateral to the spine.

• Spinal injuries' mechanisms include extension under stress, sudden twisting, and poor posture/biomechanics.

• Symptoms of acute back/spine injuries tend include pain localized to the spine, limited movement due to muscle spasm, and pain during rotation.

• Signs of intervertebral disc injury include burning pain, numbness/tingling, lower extremity weakness, and symptoms exacerbated by sitting.

• Disc injuries are diagnosed using X-rays, MRI, EMG, and functional tests.

• Treatment options for disc injury can involve ice, rest, NSAIDs, and/or corticosteroids.

• Long-term treatment may incorporate physical therapy to alleviate symptoms, and addressing posture/obesity can be critical.

• Surgical intervention for persistent symptoms might involve discectomy, spinal fusion, or artificial disc replacement.

• Factors increasing disk injuries include age, obesity, and certain occupations with repetitive movements and heavy lifting.

• A high percentage of intervertebral disc injuries recover without surgery.

• Chronic back/spine conditions can include scoliosis, chronic back pain, spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis, piriformis syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, and degenerative disc disease.

• Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine.

• Possible causes of scoliosis include malformed vertebrae, unequal leg lengths, fused ribs, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and polio.

• Untreated scoliosis can cause posture or spinal problems.

• Scoliosis diagnosis frequently involves physical assessment, including measurement of shoulder height and hip height.

• Scoliosis treatment approaches often involve bracing, physical therapy, and/or surgery.

• Severe scoliosis may require surgical intervention to straighten the spine via metal rods or other implants.

• A scoliometer or related apps can be useful to measure this condition.

• Spondylolisthesis encompasses various types, including degenerative and isthmic.