Spine Anatomy Questions

To avoid the thick erector spinae muscles overlying the lumbar transverse processes, it is best to slide you fingers roughly how far from the spinous processes?

2 inches

The eleventh and twelfth ribs lie at approximately what angle on the body?

45

What is the primary muscle of respiration?

Diaphragm

Which 3 bony landmarks can help you isolate borders of the quadratus lumborum

12th Rib Posterior Iliac Crest Transverse Process of Lumbar Vertebrae

In which three directions are the ribs ideally designed to move

Anterior/Posterior Lateral Superior

The angles of the scapula and the corresponding spinous processes do not always line up. Why?

Body Type/Muscular Contraction

Which 2 cervical vertebrae have spinous processes that protrude further posteriorly and are more distinct than the other cervical vertebrae

C-2 & C-7

When the diaphragm muscle fibers contract, what connective tissue structure is pulled inferiorly?

Central Tendon

Which section of the vertebral column is capable of the most movement

Cervical

The first rib is deep to which bone along the anterior thorax

Clavicle

What is the structure that extends off the ribs and attaches to the sternum?

Costal Cartilage

What action could you ask your partner to perform to feel their first rib move

Deep Breath

When is it best to move your fingers as you curl them underneath the rib cage to feel the diaphragm?

During the exhale

What action could you ask your partner to perform to feel the quadratus lumborum contract?

Elevate the Hip

The thoracic transverse processes are located deep to the ______ muscles and superficial to the ______

Erector Spinae Connecting Aspect of the Ribs

As you palpate medially toward the spine, you may lose contact with the 12th rib because it is deep to which muscle group

Erector Spinae Group

You are palpating lateral edge of rectus abdominis and the fibers you feel are superficial and running at an angle. Which muscle is this?

External Oblique

With your partner seated, what two movements at the spine could you ask your partner to perform to feel the movement of the spinous processes

Flexion/Extension

As a group, the transversospinalis muscles can be easily located along the _____ of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae

Lamina Grooves

Which edge of the quadratus lumborum is most accessible from the side of the torso?

Lateral Edge

Passive Flexion of the spine would ____ the iliocostalis

Lengthen

Passive rotation of the spine to the same side would ______ the multifidi

Lengthen

Passive rotation of the vertebral column to the opposite side would ______ the internal oblique

Lengthen

Passive rotation of the vertebral column to the same side would _____ the external oblique

Lengthen

Which band of connective tissue lies superficial to the cervical spinous process

Ligamentum Nuchae

Your partner is supine and you passively rotate the head 45 degrees away from the side you are palpating. The position places the cervical transverse processes in a line running between which two bony landmarks?

Mastoid Process & Center of the Shaft of Clavicle

Name 2 large muscles through which you would have to palpate to access various portions of the intercostals

Pectoralis Major External Oblique

To contract the lower fibers of the erector spinae group in a prone position, you could ask your partner to perform what action?

Raise/Lower Feet Slightly

Which abdominal muscle runs vertically from the rib cage to the pubic crest?

Rectus Abdominis

Rotating your trunk to the right would engage your left or right internal oblique muscle?

Right

Exploring just posterior to the clavicle, through which muscle group must you palpate to access the first rib

Scalenes

Which rib attaches to the sternum at the level of the sternal angle

Second Rib

Unlike the long, vertical erector fibers, the branches of the transversospinalis group consist of many

Short diagonal fibers

Compression of the abdominal contents would _____ the transverse abdominis

Shorten

Drawing the ventral part of the ribs upward would _____ the external intercostals

Shorten

Increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity would _____ the diaphragm's fibers

Shorten

Passive lateral flexion of the spine to the same side would _____ the longissimus

Shorten

Passive rotation of the spine to the opposite side would ____ the rotatores

Shorten

The most medial branch of the erector spinae group is the ______, while the most lateral is the ____

Spinalis Iliocostalis

The lamina groove is located between which two bony landmarks of the vertebrae

Spinous Process & Transverse Process

The visible row of bumps running down the center of the back are the

Spinous Processes

Many of the transverse processes are deep to which neck muscle

Sternocleidomastoid

The thorax is comprised of which 2 structures

Sternum & Rib Cage

Although the entire rib cage is deep to muscle tissue, which portion is easily accessed?

The sides of the trunk

In the lumbar region, the erectors lie deep to what connective tissue structure?

Thoracolumbar Aponeurosis

When exploring between the scapulae, can you name two muscles through which you will have to palpate to access the deeper erector spinae fibers?

Trapezius Rhomboids

Which muscles are located between the ribs?

intercostals