Exam 4 - curvatures of the spine

which direction do primary curves face

posteriorly

which regions of the spine are primary curves

thoracic and sacrococcygeal

in thoracic spine, the ___ body height is greater than the ___ body height

posterior, anterior

when do secondary curves appear? which direction do they face? what regions are involved?

later in life at developmental milestones

anteriorly

cervical, lumbar

what do secondary curves allow for

erect posture

the cervical curve first appears around what months? later becomes accentuated during what month?

3-4

9

the lumbar curve appears at what months? what muscles pull the lumbar vertebrae erect? what maintains this curve

9-18

erector spinae

shape of IVD and vertebral bodies (taller anterior than posterior)

what is the position of L1-L4 articular facets in infants? adults? when does facet movement begin

coronally

sagittal

6 months

what segment of the spine has a shift of the nucleus pulposus

l4

what is the shift of the nucleus pulposus

posterior shift of only the nucleus pulposus within the annulus fibrosus

a slight lateral curve of the thoracic region may appear what age? what is it associated with?

6

asymmetrical muscle tone due to handedness

what type of abnormality creates a "hunchback"

thoracic kyphosis

what causes thoracic kyphosis

poor posture, DDD, arthritis, osteoporosis, trauma, developmental abnormalities

hyperkyphosis is a curve greater than ___ degrees

50

what is the natural thoracic hyphotic curve

20-45 degrees

lumbar and cervical lordosis abnormalities may be caused by what

poor posture, obesity/overweight, trauma, surgery, pregnancy, hip problems

lumbar and cervical lordosis abnormalities most commonly affect what populations

adults over 50, kids during growth spurts, pregnancy

what is the typical lumbar lordotic curve?

40-60 degrees

what is the typical cervical lordotic curve

20-40 degrees

a hyperlordotic curve is greater than ____ degrees and a hypolordotic curve is less than ___ degrees

40,20

the upper cervical curve is a distinct ___ curve extending from what two structures

primary, occiput-axis

the lower cervical curve is a distinct ___ curve from what to what

lordotic/secondary

inferior aspect C2 thoracic region

which are the least distinct of the spinal curves and do they increase or decrease with age?

cervical, increase

what is the most common type of kyphosis

postural

postural kyphosis is most common in who? what may correct it? DO the curves get worse or cause pain? what can make these curves worse?

females 12-17

proper posture

no

backpacks

what is Scheuermann's kyphosis

structural abnormality causing wedge shaped vertebral bodies

treatment for scheuermann's kyphosis may include what

bracing of spine in extension, exercise

which form of abnormal kyphosis is present from birth

congenital

congenital kyphosis is the result of what? Does is get worse with age? What is usually required at a young age? What may it be associated with?

vertebrae not properly formed/may be fused together

yes

surgery

heart, kidney, and neurological

which type of abnormal kyphosis is the result of the thoracic kyphosis being absent

straight (flat) back syndrome

straight back syndrome has a increase/decrease anterior-posterior dimensions of the thoracic cage and there is decrease space available for what organs

decrease, heart, lungs

straight back syndrome, if bad enough, can lead to what

kinking of the great vessels

which type of abnormal lordosis is present in the lumbar region? is it hypo or hyperlordotic?

swayback

hyperlordotic

which type of abnormal lordosis occurs in the cervical region? hypo- or hyper lordotic?

military (straight) neck

hypolordotic

lateral curve progression/worsening that is linked to skeletal growth spurts describes what condition

scoliosis

infantile idiopathic scoliosis is from ____ to age ___. Common or uncommon? May worsen if deviation is greater than ____ degrees. Who is it predominant in?

birth, 3

uncommon

30

males with left thoracic deviation

juvenile idiopathic scoliosis is from age ____ to ___ years. Does it remain the same or worsen with time? after age 6, who is it most common in? right or left thoracic deviation?

3,10

worsen

female

right

adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is from age ___ and older. It comprises about ____% of all idiopathic scoliosis cases. Primarily it is in male or female? Most commonly it is a deviation to which side? It is linked to families

10

80

female

right

what is the purpose of the Risser sign

measure bone maturity and growth of iliac apophysis

determines progression of scoliosis

the magnitude of a curve is measured using what method? what does it look at?

Cobb

length and angle

the location of scoliosis is determined by what

location of the vertebra at the apex of the curve

which vertebra has the most lateral and most horizontal apex

t12

the direction of scoliosis refers to what

the side of convexity (which way is the curve pointing)

what are the different etiologies of scoliosis

idiopathic, degenerative, congenital, neuromuscular, thoracogenic, syndromic

describe non-structural scoliosis

mild deviation

unlikely to worsen

NO structural deformities

linked to poor posture, unequal leg length, and muscle spasm

t/f

non-structural scoliosis is most common

false - structural is

describe structural scoliosis

may worsen

structural deformities

possible causes of structural scoliosis may include

disease, birth defect, injury, infection, abnormal growth

which type of scoliosis corrects with lateral bending

non-structural