The Vertebral Column: Joints and Movements

What range of flexion can the C spine achieve?

What range of extension can the C spine achieve?

What range of flexion can the T spine achieve?

What range of extension can the T spine achieve?

What range of extension can the L spine achieve?

What range of flexion can the L spine achieve?

What is the total range of flexion that the vertebral column can achieve?

What range of lateral flexion can the L spine achieve?

What range of lateral flexion can the T spine achieve?

What range of lateral extension can the C spine achieve?

What degree of rotation can be achieved around the sacrum and lumbar spine?

What degree of rotation can be achieved around the lumbar and thoracic spine?

What degree of rotation can be achieved around the cervical and thoracic spine?

What degree of rotation can be achieved by the entire vertebral column?

How do we classify the intervertebral discs?

What do the intervertebral discs allow that would not be possible if the flat articular surfaces of the vertebrae were joined directly?

Label these two diagrams of the intervertebral disc.

What type of collagen will you find in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus?

How is the nucleus pulposus adapted for weight-bearing?

Which is true of the annulus fibrosus?

Why is the annulus fibrosus an efficient shock absorber?

What is the vertebral end plate?

What happens in a herniated disc?

What is the vertebral end plate formed of?

Through which component of the intervertebral discs are water and nutrients received?

Why do the intervertebral discs become thinner and the flexibility of the vertebral column decrease with age?

Label this image to show the ligaments of the vertebral column.

The posterior longitudinal ligament lines the inside of the vertebral canal.

Where does the ligamentum flavum occur?

The nuchal ligament is an extension of what up the cervical spine?

Label this image of the vertebral column and its ligaments.

Fill in the blanks below to describe the muscles of the trunk. The muscles of the posterior abdominal wall are [blank_start]extensors[blank_end]. The muscles that line the lateral and anterior abdominal wall are responsible for f[blank_start]lexion[blank_end] and r[blank_start]otation[blank_end]. The [blank_start]superficial[blank_end] posterior trunk muscles are mostly responsible for the movement of the shoulder. The [blank_start]intermediate[blank_end] posterior trunk muscles are mostly responsible for the movement and stability of the thoracic cage. The [blank_start]deep[blank_end] posterior trunk muscles are mostly responsible for the stabilisation of the vertebral column.

The erector-spinae muscles form part of the [blank_start]deep[blank_end] back muscles. They consist of the i[blank_start]liocoastalis[blank_end], l[blank_start]ogissimus[blank_end] and s[blank_start]pinalis[blank_end] muscles. They extend and laterally [blank_start]rotate[blank_end] the trunk as well as maintain correct [blank_start]posture[blank_end].

The transversospinalis muscles form a part of the [blank_start]deep[blank_end] muscles of the back. They consist of the r[blank_start]otatores[blank_end], the m[blank_start]ultifidus[blank_end] and the s[blank_start]emispinalis[blank_end] muscles. They lie between the t[blank_start]ransverse[blank_end] and s[blank_start]pinous[blank_end] processes of the vertebrae to rotate and [blank_start]extend[blank_end] the vertebral column.

Fill in the blanks to label the erector spinae group of deep back muscles.

Fill in the blanks below to label the transversospinalis group of muscles.

Fill in the blanks below to describe the intermediate back muscles. The serratus posterior superior muscle originates from the [blank_start]nuchal[blank_end] ligament as well as the spinous processes of C[blank_start]7[blank_end]-T[blank_start]3[blank_end]. It inserts at the superior borders of the [blank_start]2[blank_end]nd-[blank_start]5[blank_end]th ribs. The serratus posterior inferior muscle originates from the spinous processes of T[blank_start]11[blank_end]-L[blank_start]2[blank_end] and inserts at the inferior borders of the [blank_start]9[blank_end]th-[blank_start]12[blank_end]th ribs.

Which is true of the serratus posterior muscles?

Label the image below to show the intermediate muscles of the back.

Fill in the blanks to label this image of the superficial back muscles.

Fill in the blanks to describe the origins and insertions of the superficial muscles of the back. The trapezius originates from the s[blank_start]kull[blank_end], ligamentum [blank_start]nuchae[blank_end] and spinous processes of C[blank_start]7[blank_end]-T[blank_start]12[blank_end] to insert at the c[blank_start]lavicle[blank_end], a[blank_start]cromion[blank_end] and s[blank_start]capula[blank_end] spine. The latissimus dorsi originates from the [blank_start]thoracolumbar[blank_end] fascia at T[blank_start]6[blank_end]-T[blank_start]12[blank_end], the [blank_start]iliac[blank_end] crest and the most inferior [blank_start]3[blank_end] ribs to insert at the intertubular sulcus of the [blank_start]humerus[blank_end]. The levator scapulae originates from the transverse processes of C[blank_start]1[blank_end]-C[blank_start]4[blank_end] and inserts at the s[blank_start]capula[blank_end]. Rhomboid minor originates from the spinous processes of C[blank_start]7[blank_end]-T[blank_start]1[blank_end] and inserts at the s[blank_start]capula[blank_end]. Rhomboid major originates from the spinous processes of T[blank_start]2[blank_end]-T[blank_start]5[blank_end] and inserts at the s[blank_start]capula[blank_end].

What innervates the trapezius?

What innervates the latissimus dorsi?

Which nerve innervates levator scapulae?

Which nerve innervates both rhomboid minor and rhomboid major?

Which superifical back muscle elevates, retracts and depresses the scapula?

Which superficial back muscle aducts, extends and medially rotates the upper arm?

Which superficial back muscle pnly elevates the scapula?

Which superficial back muscle rotates and retracts the scapula?

Where is the thoracolumbar fascia inserted?

Label this image to show the relations of the thoracolumbar fascia in the back.

When does the thoracolumbar fascia tense?

Label this diagram to show the muscles of the back.

Fill in the blanks below to describe the origin and insertions of the lateral trunk muscles. Quadratus lumborum originates from the i[blank_start]liac crest[blank_end]. It inserts onto the [blank_start]transverse[blank_end] processes of L[blank_start]1[blank_end]-L[blank_start]4[blank_end] and the inferior border of the [blank_start]12[blank_end]th rib. Iliacus originates from the surface of the iliac [blank_start]fossa[blank_end] and [blank_start]anterior inferior[blank_end] iliac spine. It inserts at the [blank_start]lesser trochanter[blank_end] of the [blank_start]femur[blank_end] in combination with [blank_start]psoas major[blank_end]. Psoas minor, when present, originates from the vertebral [blank_start]bodies[blank_end] of T[blank_start]12[blank_end] and L[blank_start]1[blank_end] and inserts at the [blank_start]pectineal[blank_end] line of the [blank_start]pubis[blank_end]. Psoas major originates from the [blank_start]transverse[blank_end] processes and vertebral bodies of T[blank_start]12[blank_end]-L[blank_start]5[blank_end] and inserts at the [blank_start]lesser trochanter[blank_end] of the femur.

Psoas minor inserts at the lesser trochanter of the femur.