Back Muscles

Between what structures is the epidural space

gap between the dura and the vertebral canal

What fills the epidural space

fat

What condition does this show

spinal stenosis

What is spinal stenosis

Spinal narrowing

Cause of spinal stenosis

Osteoarthritis of the vertebrae

Osteophytes grow around the facet joints which narrows the vertebral canal.

In what sections of the spine is spinal stenosis seen most

 cervical & lumbar spine

Risk factor for spinal stenosis

Age

The nerve roots that emerge from the lumbar and sacral spinal levels (L3, L4, L5, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, etc.) arise from the spinal cord segments located where

Above the levels of the L1-L2 vertebrae

What does the needle in a lumbar puncture go through

The needle is put through the dura and arachnoid matter

What fills the vertebral foramen

muscle

3 layers of back muscles & what they are comprised of

Superficial - Muscles of the shoulder girdle

Intermediate - Accessory muscles of respiration

Deep - Intrinsic muscles of the vertebral column

Intrinsic muscles of the vertebral column are all flexors/extensors

Extensors

What do  posterior rami of spinal nerves innervate

intrinsic muscle of the back and the skin over the vertebral column

Erector spinae aponeurosis is a thickened extension of what

thoracolumbar fascia

(both important for posture)

3 muscles of semispinalis

Capitis

Cervicis

Thoracis

Innervation of semispinalis muscles

Dorsal rami C1 - T10

Actions of spinalis muscles

Acting collectively, stabilisation

Acting in pairs, extension.

Acting alone, rotation to the opposite side

Attachments of capitis

from skull to transverse processes C4 - T6

Attachments of cervicis

Transverse processes T1 - T6 to
spinous processes C2 - C5

Attachments of thoracis

Transverse processes T6 - T10 to spinous processes T1 - T4

About how many vertebrae does each semispinalis muscle cross

4 - 6 vertebrae

Name 2 other transversospinales muscles

Multifidus

Rotatores

Attachments of multifidus

sacrum, iliac crest, erector spinae aponeurosis, vertebral spinous processes to transverse processes of vertebra 1 - 4 levels above

Innervation of multifidus

posterior (dorsal) rami

Action of multifidus

Acting in pairs, extension.
Acting alone, rotation to the opposite side

Attachments of rotatores

transverse processes to spinous processes 2-4 levels above

Innervation of rotatores

posterior (dorsal) rami

Action of rotatores

Acting in pairs, extension.
Acting alone, rotation to the opposite side

Attachments of interspinales

From spinous process to spinous process of the cervical & lumbar vertebrae

Action of interspinales

assist in extension

stabilisation - resistance to flexion

Attachments of intertransversarii

From transverse process to transverse process of the cervical & lumbar vertebrae

Action of intertransversarii

Lateral flexion and stabilisation

Synergists for many complex actions

2 major flexors of the vertebral column

Rectus abdominis

Psoas

strengthening of what muscles helps with lower back stability

external & internal obliques

transversus abdominis

quadratus lumborum

Causes of low back pain

- Herniated disc
- Muscle or ligament damage
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Metastatic prostate or ovarian cancer

What muscles control the position of the vertebral column

Interspinales & intertransversari