Ch.9: Neck and Trunk Regions of the Vertebral Column

Flashcards summarizing key concepts from Chapter 9 of Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy related to the neck and trunk regions of the vertebral column.

What are the five regions of the vertebral column?

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal.

What is the primary function of the vertebral column?

To provide bony protection of the spinal cord.

How many vertebrae are in the cervical region?

7 vertebrae.

What curvature is characteristic of the cervical and lumbar regions?

Lordotic curves (convex anteriorly).

Which spinal regions are concave anteriorly?

Thoracic and sacral regions (kyphotic curves).

What are excessive anterior convexities of the spine called?

Lordosis.

What is kyphosis?

Excessive posterior convexity of the spine.

What type of joint motion characterizes the vertebral column?

Triaxial motion allowing movement in all three planes.

Which motions occur in the sagittal plane?

Flexion and extension.

What joint is formed by the atlas (C1) and occiput?

Atlanto-Occipital (AO) joint.

What movements are allowed at the Atlanto-Occipital joint?

Flexion and extension (nodding 'yes').

What joint is formed between C1 and C2?

Atlantoaxial (AA) joint.

What motion occurs at the Atlantoaxial joint?

Rotation (shaking 'no').

How does the orientation of cervical facets affect motion?

They are oriented in the frontal plane, allowing motion in all three planes.

What are the limitations of the thoracic spine's motion?

Motion is limited by the ribs, allowing primarily lateral bending.

What does the lumbar spine facet orientation allow?

Flexion and extension with minimal lateral bending.

What is the general function of vertebral ligaments?

To limit motion and provide stability throughout the vertebral column.

What is the nuchal ligament?

A fibrous ligament from the occipital bone to cervical spinous processes supporting the head.

What is the primary function of the vertebral muscles?

Providing postural support, movement, and stabilization of the spine.

What is the action of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM)?

Bilateral: neck flexion; Unilateral: lateral flexion and rotation to opposite side.

What are the functions of the scalene muscles?

Neck flexion, lateral bending, and assist in inspiration by elevating the first two ribs.

What are the prevertebral muscles?

Longus colli, longus capitis, rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis.

What is the function of the prevertebral muscles?

Neck flexion and stabilization of the cervical spine.

What do the suboccipital muscles do?

Head extension, lateral bending, and rotation to the same side.

What is the function of splenius capitis and cervicis?

Bilateral: neck extension; Unilateral: rotation and lateral bending to the same side.

What are the three components of the erector spinae group?

Iliocostalis, Longissimus, and Spinalis.

What is the main function of the erector spinae group?

Extension and lateral bending of the vertebral column and postural maintenance.

What muscles are included in the transversospinalis group?

Semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores.

What is the common function of the transversospinalis group?

Extension and rotation to the opposite side; stabilization of the spine.

What are the actions of interspinales and intertransversarii muscles?

Interspinales: spinal extension; Intertransversarii: lateral bending.

What do the external intercostals do?

Elevate ribs for inspiration.

What is the role of internal intercostals?

Depress ribs for expiration.

What is the function of the rectus abdominis?

Trunk flexion and abdominal compression.

How do the external and internal obliques act together?

Bilaterally flex the trunk; unilaterally rotate the trunk to opposite (external) or same (internal) side.

What is the function of the transverse abdominis?

Abdominal compression and spinal stabilization.

What is the primary function of the quadratus lumborum?

Trunk lateral bending and pelvic elevation.

What is the primary function of the diaphragm?

Primary muscle of inspiration; increases thoracic cavity volume during breathing.

What is torticollis?

A condition causing lateral flexion and rotation of the head to opposite sides due to neck muscle shortening.

What is radiculopathy?

Compression of a spinal nerve root, causing pain and sensory/motor loss.

What is sciatica?

Pain radiating down the posterior thigh and leg due to sciatic nerve involvement.

Define scoliosis.

A lateral curvature of the spine.

Define lordosis.

Increased anterior convexity of the spine.

Define kyphosis.

Increased posterior convexity of the spine.

What is spinal stenosis?

Narrowing of the vertebral canal leading to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots.

What is ankylosing spondylitis?

A chronic inflammatory disease causing fusion of vertebral joints.

What is the difference between spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolysis: defect in the vertebral lamina; Spondylolisthesis: forward slippage of one vertebra on another.

What is spondylosis?

Degenerative arthritis of the spine with bone spurs and ligament thickening.

What causes compression fractures of vertebrae?

Trauma or osteoporosis leading to vertebral body collapse.

What is a cervical strain (whiplash)?

Strain of neck muscles/ligaments due to sudden flexion-extension injury.