Chapter 9, my answers

18. A typical geriatric disc has a fluid content that is reduced by approximately how much?

35%

***46. List and describe the three abnormal deviations in the spinal curvature, including symptoms, possible causes, and treatment options.

Lordosis: Extreme lumbar curvature. Associated with weakened abdominal muscles and anterior pelvic tilt. Causes include congenital spinal deformity, weakness in abdominal muscles, poor postural habits, and overtraining in sports requiring repeated lumbar hyperextension. Kyphosis: Extreme thoracic curvature. Can result from congenital abnormality or osteoporosis. Typically occurs between the ages of 10 and 16 years. Both genetic and biomechanical factors play a role. Also called swimmer's back. Treatment for mild cases may consist of exercises to strengthen the posterior thoracic muscles, although bracing or surgical corrections are used in more severe cases. Scoliosis: Lateral spinal curvature. Congenital abnormalities and selected cancers can contribute to the development of structural scoliosis. Symptoms vary with severity and can go away on it's own, and in extreme cases is treated with bracing or surgery.

50. Explain proper lifting including rationale. Also, explain why twisting should be avoided when lifting.

Proper lifting requires the maintenance of the normal lumbar curvature. This means that you should not bend over and keep your knees straight, you should instead bend your knees and keep your back upright, while stretching your arms in front of you to lift something heavy. Twisting should be avoided when lifting because you could slip a disk from the motion that is out of the frontal plane of motion.

48. List and discuss the primary abdominal muscles, explaining how they perform motion in all three planes.

Rectus Abdominis: Functioning alongside the external and internal obliques, these muscles are the major spinal flexors and also reduce anterior pelvic tilt. External Obliques: Tension development by the external obliques results in rotation toward the opposite side. If the spine is fixed the external obliques produce rotation of the pelvis to the same side. Internal Obliques: Tension development in the internal obliques causes rotation of the spine towards the same side. If the spine is fixed the internal obliques produce pelvic rotation toward the opposite side

49. Describe the most common back injury, including degree of incidence, possible causes and treatments.

The most common back injury is low back pain. The incidence of low back pain has been steadily increasing over the past decade, most likely as a result of of the increasing incidence of obesity. It typically occurs in the lumbar region and is typically caused by handling heavy materials, extreme inactivity or extreme inactivity, lumbar instability. It is treated by abdominal exercises most commonly.

47. Describe the range of motion in all three planes for each vertebral region relative to the other regions.

There is considerable ROM in for flexion and extension, or the sagittal plane, in the lumbar and cervical regions. Frontal plane motion of the spine is called lateral flexion. The largest ROM in the spine for lateral flexion is in the cervical area. Spinal rotation in the transverse plane is most free in the cervical region of the spine as well, with decreasing degrees of motion going down the spine.

13. The sacral region of the spine is fused to which of the following bones?

all of the above: ilium, ischium, pubis

37. Which of the following contributes to increased spinal loading?

all of the above: rotation (as compared to flexion), asymmetrical frontal loads, increased lifting speeds

1. Movement of the spine occurs in which plane(s)?

all of the above: sagittal, frontal, transverse

32. In anatomical position, where is the center of gravity located relative to the spine?

anterior

23. The most superior cervical vertebrae is called what?

atlas

15. The rectus abdominis causes flexion when contracted ________.

bilaterally

3. Which part of the vertebrae bears the most weight?

body

25. What causes the pumping action (influx and outflux of water containing nutrients and waste) of the intervertebral discs in adults?

body motion

14. Lack of flexibility in which of the following muscle groups can cause anterior pelvic tilt?

both A and B: hip flexors, erector spinae

30. Which abdominal muscles cause rotation to the left?

both A and B: left internal oblique, right external oblique

20. Which of the following are potential consequences of spinal fractures?

both A and B: paralysis, death

4. Which of the following helps the spine absorb shock?

both A and B: spinal curves, intervertebral discs

7. Which of the following is not true about lordosis?

can be caused by poor abdominal flexibility

34. What type of articulation occurs between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae?

cartilaginous

2. Which of the following vertebral regions has the best range of motion?

cervical

***41. From superior to inferior, there are 7 _______________ vertebrae, 12 _______________ vertebrae, 5 ___________________ vertebrae, 5 _______________ vertebrae, and 4 _______________ vertebrae.

cervical; thoracic; lumbar; sacral; coccygeal

24. What is the most common type of spinal loading during daily activities?

compression

44. The major extensor and hyperextensor of the trunk is the ______________________________ muscle group.

erector spinae

29. Anterior pelvic tilt facilitates what type of spinal motion?

flexion

36. Spinal relaxation phenomenon explains what?

inactivity of spinal extensors during full flexion

28. Which type of exaggerated curve is often caused by osteoporosis?

kyphosis

8. The condition of exaggerated thoracic curvature is known as which of the following?

kyphosis

26. What is the enlarged cervical portion of the supraspinous ligament called?

ligamentum nuchae

xtreme lumbar curvature is called ___________________.

lordosis

17. What joint is usually the culprit in low back pain?

lumbosacral

42. Two adjacent vertebrae and the associated soft tissues form a __________________________________, the functional unit of the spine.

motion segment

9. The articulations between adjacent vertebral bodies are which of the following types of joints?

symphysis joints

6. Which of the following spinal curves are referred to as primary curves?

the thoracic and sacral curves

40. What injury can occur when the neck undergoes sudden acceleration and deceleration (such as in a car accident)?

whiplash

45. The term "slipped disc" is often used to describe a _______________ disc.

herniated

16. What is the result when part of the nucleus pulposus of the disc protrudes and presses on a nerve?

herniated disc

31. What action(s) do posterior trunk muscles cause when they contract unilaterally?

lateral flexion

38. What musculoskeletal problem causes the most absences from work?

low back pain

11. Which vertebrae are the largest?

lumbar

39. Sprains occur in what type of tissue?

muscle

5. Which statement is not true about the intervertebral discs?

all of the above are true: act as cushions between the vertebrae, account for approximately 1/4 of the height of the spine, are responsible for spinal movement due to compression

22. Unusually high incidences of pars interarticularis fractures have been documented in which of the following groups of athletes?

all of the above: female gymnasts, interior football lineman, weight lifters

19. Transverse or spinous process fractures may result from which of the following?

both A and B: extremely forceful contraction of the attached muscles, the sustenance of a hard blow to the back of the spine

12. What type of joint occurs between the superior and inferior articulating facets of adjacent vertebrae?

non-axial gliding

he spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae inhibit movement in which plane?

sagittal

27. Lateral deviations in spinal curvature are called what?

scoliosis

35. What is the dominant force on the spine during activities requiring backward leaning of the trunk, such as rappelling

shear

21. What is the most common type of vertebral fracture?

stress fracture of the pars interarticularis

33. Attachment to the ribs limits range of motion in which vertebrae?

thoracic