Back and Spinal Cord

Flashcards for Back and Spinal Cord Lecture

Components of the back and spinal cord

Bony elements, vertebrae, ribs, pelvic girdle, posterior skull, muscles, spinal cord, and spinal nerves

Functions of the back and spinal cord

Support, protection, and movement

Number of vertebrae in the vertebral column

33 at birth, 26 in adults due to fusion of some vertebrae

Regions of the vertebral column

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral, Coccygeal

Joint between articular processes of vertebrae

Zygapophysial joint

Movements allowed by cervical and lumbar zygapophysial joints

Flexion and extension

Movement allowed by thoracic zygapophysial joints

Rotation

Location of the intervertebral disc

Between vertebral bodies

Function of superficial (extrinsic) back muscles

Movements of the upper extremity

Function of intermediate (extrinsic) back muscles

Respiratory function

Function of deep (intrinsic) back muscles

Movements of vertebral column and head

Actions of the trapezius muscle

Superior: elevate and superiorly rotate scapula

Middle: adduct scapula

Inferior: depress and superiorly rotate scapula

Action of the latissimus dorsi muscle

Extends, adducts, and medially rotates humerus

Action of the levator scapulae muscle

Elevates and inferiorly rotates scapula

Action of the rhomboid minor muscle

Adducts and inferiorly rotates scapula

Action of the rhomboid major muscle

Adducts and inferiorly rotates scapula

Action of Serratus Posterior Superior

Elevates ribs 2-5

Action of Serratus Posterior Inferior

Depresses ribs 9-12

Action of the spinotransversales muscles

Together: Head/neck extension

Individually: head rotation (same side)

Action of the erector spinae group

Together: Vertebral column extension, head/neck extension

Individually: lateral flexion of trunk (same side)

Location of the spinal cord

in the vertebral canal

Extent of the spinal cord

Foramen magnum to L2/L3

Termination point of the spinal cord

Conus medullaris (cone)

Meninges covering the spinal cord

Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

Function of the anterior root of a spinal nerve

Motor

Function of the posterior root of a spinal nerve

Sensory

Areas innervated by posterior rami of spinal nerves

Vertebral column, back muscles, and posterior skin

Areas innervated by anterior rami of spinal nerves

All remaining areas/muscles

Innervation of Erector Spinae Group (Deep Back Mucles)

Posterior rami of spinal nerves

Innervation of Spinotransversales Muscles (Deep Back Muscles)

Posterior rami of spinal nerves

Innervation of Serratus Posterior (Intermediate Back Muscles)

Superior: Anterior rami of T2-T5

Inerfior: Anterior rami of T9-T12

Innervation of Rhomboid Major (Superficial Back Muscles)

Dorsal scapular nerve (C5 with contribution from C4)

Innervation of Rhomboid Minor (Superficial Back Muscles)

Dorsal scapular nerve (C5 with contribution from C4)

Innervation of Levator Scapulae (Superficial Back Muscles)

Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)

Anterior rami of C3 and C4

Innervation of Latissimus Dorsi (Superficial Back Muscles)

Thorcodorsal nerve (C6-C8)

Innervation of Trapezius (Superficial Back Muscles)

Accessory nerve (CN XI)