Spine and Thorax Exam

twelfth rib spinous process:

T-12

superior angle of the scapula spinous process:

T-2

inferior angle of the scapula

T-7

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

central tendon

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

clavicle

what is the primary muscle of respiration?

diaphragm

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

external oblique

which muscles are located between the ribs?

intercostals

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

lamina groove

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

lateral

the abdominal aorta is located where in relationship to the psoas major?

lateral

passive rotation of the head to the opposite side would _____ the oblique capitis inferior.

lengthen

passive rotation of the vertebral column to the opposite would _______ the internal oblique

lengthen

passive rotation of the vertebral column to the same would ______ the external oblique

lengthen

Which band of connective tissue lies superficial to the cervical spinous processes?

ligamentum nuchae

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

midline ridge

unlike the long, vertical erector fibers, the branches of the transversospinalis group consist of many __________ fibers.

short and diagonal

Drawing the ventral part of the ribs upward would ____ the external intercostals.

shorten

compression of the abdominal contents would ______ the tranverse abdominis

shorten

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

shorten

passive extension of the head and neck would ________ the splenius capitis.

shorten

How can the upper fibers of the trapezius be helpful in locating the suboccipitals?

the trap's lateral edge is the same width as suboccipitals

which three bony landmarks can help you to isolate the borders of the quadratus lumborum?

twelfth rib, posterior illiac crest, TVP of lumbar vertebrae

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

cervical

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

costal cartilage

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

erector spinae muscle

The thoracic transverse processes are located deep to the _________ muscles and superficial to the ____________.

erector spinae muscles and connecting aspect of ribs

the ligamentum nuchae spams between which two bony landmarks?

external occipital protuberence and spinous process of C-7

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

mastoid process and shaft of clavicle

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

raise and lower their feet slightly

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

rectus abdominis

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 and transverse process

What two bony landmarks and one region can be helpful to isolate the location of the suboccipitals?

spinous process of C-2, TVP of C-1, space between superior nuchae line of occiput and C-2

thoracic spine # of vertebae and curvature

12 vertebrae and kyphotic

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

2 inches

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

2nd rib

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

45 degree angle

lumbar spine # of vertebrae and curvature

5 vertebrae and lordotic

cervicle spine # of vertebrae and curvature

7 vertebrae and lordotic

The angle of the scapula and the corresponding spinous processes do not always line up. Name two factors that might affect the position of the scapula.

Body type and muscular contraction

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

C-2 and C-7

Top of the iliac crest spinous process:

L-4

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

flexion and extension

to feel the ligamentum nuchae change tension underneath your fingers, what two passive movements can you perform at the head?

flexion and extension

in which three directions are the ribs ideally designed to move?

lateral, anterior/posterior, superior

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

laterally tilt hip towards their shoulder

the thoracolumbar aponeurosis serves as an attachment site for which two muscle?

latissimus dorsi and erector spinae group

name two large muscles through which you would have to palpate to access various portions of the intercostals

latissimus dorsi; pectoralis major

Rotating the head to the left demands the contraction of which splenius capitis - the left or right?

left

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 head and neck to the opposite side would ______ the splenius capitis.

lengthen

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

ribs along the side of the trunk

to distinguish the trapezius fibers from the splenius capitis fibers, you could ask your partner to perform what action?

rotate head towards the side getting palpated

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

scalene muscles

passive lateral flexion of the head and neck would _____ the splenius cervicis

shorten

passive lateral flexion of the spine to the same side would _____ the longissimus.

shorten

passive rotation of the head to the same side would ______ the rectus capitis posterior major

shorten

passive rotation of the spine to the opposite side would ______ the rotatores.

shorten

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

slow, deep breath

many of the cervical transverse process are deep to which neck muscle?

sternocleiodmastoid

The thorax is comprised of which two structures?

sternum and rib cage

what superficial ligament can be felt between the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

supraspinous

in the lumbar region, the rectors lie deep to what connective tissue?

thoracolumbar aponeurosis

the splenius capitis is a deep muscle except on the lateral side of the neck where it is superficial between which two muscles?

trapezius and rhomboids

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

trapezius and rhomboids

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

when your partner exhales

base of the neck spinous process:

C-7