FM: Axial Skeleton - Review #1

This is an example of this type of altered posture.

• lumbar lordosis

• cervical kyphosis

• thoracic kyphosis

• cervical lordosis

Identify the portion(s) of the vertebral column that have an anterior convex (posterior concave) curve:

• cervical

• thoracic

• lumbar

• sacral

• coccygeal

Center of gravity aligns with the _______ (select all):

• head

• shoulders

• hips

• sacrum

_________ portion of the vertebrae will protect the spinal cord and stabilize the spine.

• Lateral

• Posterior

• Anterior

• Superior

Answer explanation

The Anterior portion of the vertebrae absorbs shock, bears the weight of loads, & mobilizes the trunk.

The following ligaments become taut with _________ of the trunk:

ligamentum flava

interspinous ligaments

supraspinous ligaments

posterior longitudinal ligament

• lateral flexion

• extension

• flexion

Your patient moves from this position to standing upright, extending their trunk. Which set of muscles are active in the EARLY phase of this motion?

• lumbar extensor muscles

• hip extensor muscles

• hip flexor muscles

Answer explanation

Hip extensor muscles activate in the early phase of trunk extension from a forward flexed position, and the lumbar extensor muscles kick in during the middle phase.

Your patient has had poor posture for many years, and sits with an exaggerated posterior pelvic tilt. Which muscle/muscle group do you expect to be shorter and tighter?

• erector spinae

• iliopsoas

• multifidus

• gluteus minimus

Answer explanation

With anterior tilt, the hip flexors are stretched. With posterior tilt, the hip flexors are allowed to shorten due to the position, and the lumbar extensors will be stretched.

Which configuration of features on the vertebrae allow for greater range of flexion/extension/lateral flexion (hint: lumbar)?

• superior facets oriented vertically in sagittal plane; inferior facets oriented vertically in frontal plane

• spinous process pointed downward

• thin intervertebral discs

Your patient really likes this stretch. She does it several times a day for several minutes each time. Which of these possible outcomes are NOT a result of the patient overstretching in this position?

• decreased contact between apophyseal joints

• increased space in intervertebral disc

• pressure on the anterior portion of the disc

• increased lordosis

With evenly paced cervical flexion while standing, the prime mover is:

• sternocleidomastoid + friends

• gravity

• splenius cervicis and splenius capitis

Answer explanation

In fast cervical flexion while standing or cervical flexion against gravity, the sternocleidomastoid and other cervical flexors are the prime mover, but if moving slowly, gravity is the prime mover and cervical extensors eccentrically control the movement.