what are the angles of the spine in neutral posture for:
- cervical region
- throracic
- lumbar - CORRECTANSWER cervical: 30-35
thoracic: 40
lumbar: 45
T/F: Physical therapy has been shown to have equal outcomes and cost of treatment whether
it's early or delayed in patients with low back pain - CORRECTANSWER False!
- early PT is cost-effective, reduces need for advanced imaging, surgery, and medication
compared to delayed PT
what is primary kyphosis and when is it present? - CORRECTANSWER everything flexed
present at birth
secondary lordosis - CORRECTANSWER secondary curves forming
,- occurs with motor maturation & upright posture
if a curve is "lordotic", what does that mean? - CORRECTANSWER convex anteriorly, concave
posteriorly
if a curve is "kyphotic", what does that mean? - CORRECTANSWER convex posteriorly, concave
anteriorly
where does the line of gravity pass through the spine? how does this affect spine? -
CORRECTANSWER through concave side of each curve
- gravity produces a torque to maintain shape of each curve
- this torque must be neutralized by muscle or connective tissue forces
exaggerated thoracic kyphosis leads to: - CORRECTANSWER reduced space for lungs to expand
3 components of a typical intervertebral junction & function of each - CORRECTANSWER 1.
transverse & spinous processes
- increase leverage of muscles & ligaments
2. facet (apophyseal) joints
- guide motion
3. interbody joint
- connect bodies
how are facet joints oriented in each region of the spine? - CORRECTANSWER cervical: between
horizontal & frontal
thoracic: frontal
lumbar: sagittal
,*Dr. Allen's dance!
primary functions of the interbody joints (5) - CORRECTANSWER 1. shock absorption
2. load distribution
3. stability between vertebrae
4. site of axis of rotation
5. deformable intervertebral space
intervertebral space created by discs allows for: - CORRECTANSWER motion! (flex/extend,
rotation)
spinal nerves to exit
if someone is having radicular pain, what structures might you be wondering about? -
CORRECTANSWER what is the health of their intervertebral discs?
- if degenerating/protruding, may compress nerve root
nucleus pulposus
- location?
- function
- material - CORRECTANSWER - middle of disc
- shock absorber!
- pulplike gel: proteoglycans, collagen, elastin, etc.
annulus fibrosus
- composed of:
, - function - CORRECTANSWER - layers of collagen fibers, alternating directions (65 degree
angles)
- enclose nucleus & stabilize (resist shear, torsion, & distraction)
vertebral endplates are composed of & function to: - CORRECTANSWER - thin caps of hyaline &
fibrocartilage on vertebral bodies
- join vertebrae together
- allow nutrients to pass through
what percent of weight is carried through the vertebral bodies? how much through the facet
joints? - CORRECTANSWER 80% through body
20% facet & other posterior structures
which position puts more pressure on intervertebral discs:
- standing upright OR
- seated leaning forward - CORRECTANSWER seated leaning forward!
which position puts more pressure on intervertebral discs:
- sitting upright
- sitting leaning back - CORRECTANSWER sitting upright
compare & differentiate the following 4 terms of the nucleus pulposus:
- protrusion
- prolapse
- extrusion
- sequestration - CORRECTANSWER protrusion: displaced nucleus w/in annulus
prolapse: reaches posterior edge, still confined
- cervical region
- throracic
- lumbar - CORRECTANSWER cervical: 30-35
thoracic: 40
lumbar: 45
T/F: Physical therapy has been shown to have equal outcomes and cost of treatment whether
it's early or delayed in patients with low back pain - CORRECTANSWER False!
- early PT is cost-effective, reduces need for advanced imaging, surgery, and medication
compared to delayed PT
what is primary kyphosis and when is it present? - CORRECTANSWER everything flexed
present at birth
secondary lordosis - CORRECTANSWER secondary curves forming
,- occurs with motor maturation & upright posture
if a curve is "lordotic", what does that mean? - CORRECTANSWER convex anteriorly, concave
posteriorly
if a curve is "kyphotic", what does that mean? - CORRECTANSWER convex posteriorly, concave
anteriorly
where does the line of gravity pass through the spine? how does this affect spine? -
CORRECTANSWER through concave side of each curve
- gravity produces a torque to maintain shape of each curve
- this torque must be neutralized by muscle or connective tissue forces
exaggerated thoracic kyphosis leads to: - CORRECTANSWER reduced space for lungs to expand
3 components of a typical intervertebral junction & function of each - CORRECTANSWER 1.
transverse & spinous processes
- increase leverage of muscles & ligaments
2. facet (apophyseal) joints
- guide motion
3. interbody joint
- connect bodies
how are facet joints oriented in each region of the spine? - CORRECTANSWER cervical: between
horizontal & frontal
thoracic: frontal
lumbar: sagittal
,*Dr. Allen's dance!
primary functions of the interbody joints (5) - CORRECTANSWER 1. shock absorption
2. load distribution
3. stability between vertebrae
4. site of axis of rotation
5. deformable intervertebral space
intervertebral space created by discs allows for: - CORRECTANSWER motion! (flex/extend,
rotation)
spinal nerves to exit
if someone is having radicular pain, what structures might you be wondering about? -
CORRECTANSWER what is the health of their intervertebral discs?
- if degenerating/protruding, may compress nerve root
nucleus pulposus
- location?
- function
- material - CORRECTANSWER - middle of disc
- shock absorber!
- pulplike gel: proteoglycans, collagen, elastin, etc.
annulus fibrosus
- composed of:
, - function - CORRECTANSWER - layers of collagen fibers, alternating directions (65 degree
angles)
- enclose nucleus & stabilize (resist shear, torsion, & distraction)
vertebral endplates are composed of & function to: - CORRECTANSWER - thin caps of hyaline &
fibrocartilage on vertebral bodies
- join vertebrae together
- allow nutrients to pass through
what percent of weight is carried through the vertebral bodies? how much through the facet
joints? - CORRECTANSWER 80% through body
20% facet & other posterior structures
which position puts more pressure on intervertebral discs:
- standing upright OR
- seated leaning forward - CORRECTANSWER seated leaning forward!
which position puts more pressure on intervertebral discs:
- sitting upright
- sitting leaning back - CORRECTANSWER sitting upright
compare & differentiate the following 4 terms of the nucleus pulposus:
- protrusion
- prolapse
- extrusion
- sequestration - CORRECTANSWER protrusion: displaced nucleus w/in annulus
prolapse: reaches posterior edge, still confined
