Anatomy of the Vertebral Column and Back Muscles

anterior/posterior

Terms used to describe the front (anterior) and back (posterior) of the body.

superior/inferior

Terms used to describe the position of structures relative to each other, with superior being above and inferior being below.

proximal/distal

Terms used to describe the location of body parts relative to their point of attachment, with proximal being closer and distal being farther.

medial/lateral

Terms used to describe the position of structures relative to the midline of the body, with medial being closer to the midline and lateral being farther away.

midline

An imaginary line that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Proximal forearm

The region of the forearm that is closer to the elbow.

Medial collar bone

The part of the collar bone (clavicle) that is closer to the midline of the body.

Anterior thigh

The front part of the thigh.

Cervical vertebrae

The 7 vertebrae in the neck region of the vertebral column.

Thoracic vertebrae

The 12 vertebrae located in the upper and mid-back region of the vertebral column.

Lumbar vertebrae

The 5 vertebrae located in the lower back region of the vertebral column.

Herniated disc

A condition where the breakdown of the annulus fibrosus causes pain and increased risk of disc herniation, potentially leading to the escape of the nucleus pulposus.

Nerve impingement

A condition where a nerve is compressed, leading to pain and decreased sensation or strength in the affected area.

Mnemonic for vertebral column

7/12/5 = breakfast/lunch/dinner, representing the number of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae respectively.

Clinical correlate of herniated disc

Breakdown of the annulus fibrosus can lead to severe pain and neurological symptoms.

Decreased sensation

A reduction in the ability to feel stimuli, often observed in nerve impingement cases.

Decreased strength

A reduction in muscle power, which can occur in the affected leg due to nerve issues.

Compression Fracture

Compressive downward load on the spine, typically in elderly and caused from something as simple as sneezing or sitting down hard, usually in the thoracolumbar area.

Scoliosis

Common in kids (especially girls), can lead to abnormalities in gait, and is corrected through bracing and physical therapy.

Adam's Forward Bend Test

A test used to assess scoliosis.

Kyphosis

Over-pronounced curvature of the thoracic spine, typically seen in older people, also known as 'Hunchback'.

Lordosis

Over-pronounced curvature of the lumbar spine, frequently seen in pregnant women and obese people, also known as 'Swayback'.

Spinal Cord

Primary communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body, made up of nerve tissue that carries messages allowing for movement and sensation.

White matter

Part of the spinal cord that transmits outgoing information.

Gray matter

Part of the spinal cord that takes in incoming information.

Foramen

Holes formed between vertebrae through which nerves from the spinal cord exit the spine.

Pectoral girdle

Consists of the clavicle, scapula, and sternum.

Extrinsic (Superficial) Muscles

Muscles that move the upper limbs, including trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae, and rhomboids (major and minor).

Intrinsic (Deep) Muscles

Muscles that help to maintain posture/stability and move the vertebral column, including splenius (capitis and cervicis) and erector spinae.

Trapezius

Muscle with functions including scapula elevation (upper), scapula retraction (middle), scapula depression (lower), and upward rotation of scapula (upper + lower).

Paralysis of Trapezius muscle

Loss of innervation to the trapezius muscle causes weakness and drooping of the shoulder, making it unable to elevate the shoulder on that side.

Latissimus Dorsi

Muscle that adducts, extends, and internally rotates the arm; helps with crawling, swimming, climbing, pushing off from a chair, and pull-ups.

Levator Scapulae

Muscle that elevates the scapula.

Rhomboids: Major/Minor

Muscles that retract the scapula and fix it to the thoracic wall.

Serratus Posterior Superior

Muscle that elevates upper ribs during inspiration.

Serratus Posterior Inferior

Muscle that depresses lower ribs during expiration.

Triangle of Auscultation

An anatomical region bordered medially by the trapezius, inferiorly by the latissimus dorsi, and laterally by the medial border of the scapula.

Intrinsic muscles of the back

Muscles that maintain posture and move the vertebral column.

Splenius Capitis and Splenius Cervicis

Superficial intrinsic muscles that extend/hyperextend the cervical spine, rotate the cervical spine, and allow lateral flexion of the cervical spine.

Erector Spinae Muscles

Intermediate intrinsic muscles that unilaterally flex the head and neck to the same side and bilaterally extend the vertebral column.

Mnemonic Device

From most lateral to medial = I Love Spine.

Compression fracture of spine

A likely diagnosis for a 73 year old woman with a history of osteoporosis who experiences increasing pain in the lumbar spine area after sitting down quickly into a hard wooden chair.

Rhomboid major

A muscle that assists in retracting the scapula.

Rhomboid minor

A muscle that assists in retracting the scapula.

Erector spinae muscles order laterally to medially

Longissmus, iliocostalis, spinalis.

Erector spinae muscles order distally to proximally

Iliocostalis, longissmus, spinalis (I Love Spine).

Torn rotator cuff surgery

A procedure that may lead to difficulty lifting the arm and inability to shrug the shoulder.