Deck 9: The Biomechanics of the Human Spine

Question 1

What is the most common type of vertebral fracture?

A)fracture to the coccyx
B)stress fracture of the pars interarticularis
C)cervical fracture
D)none of these answers is correct

Answer 1

stress fracture of the pars interarticularis

Question 2

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

A)extremely forceful contraction of the attached muscles
B)the sustenance of a hard blow to the back of the spine
C)both extremely forceful contraction of the attached muscles and the sustenance of a hard blow to the back of the spine
D)none of these answers is correct

Answer 2

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

Question 3

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

A)stress fracture
B)acute fracture
C)herniated disc
D)contusion

Answer 3

herniated disc

Question 4

Which part of the vertebrae bears the most weight?

A)lamina
B)superior articulating facet
C)body
D)inferior articulating facet

Question 5

The rectus abdominis causes flexion when contracted ________.

A)unilaterally
B)bilaterally
C)eccentrically
D)all of these answers are correct

Question 6

Which of the following helps the spine absorb shock?

A)spinal curves
B)intervertebral discs
C)ligaments
D)both spinal curves and intervertebral discs
E)all of these answers are correct

Question 7

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

A)pivot joints
B)hinge joints
C)symphysis joints
D)none of these answers is correct

Question 8

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

A)anterior longitudinal ligament
B)posterior longitudinal ligament
C)ligamentum flavum
D)ligamentum nuchae

Question 9

The most superior cervical vertebrae is called what?

A)atlas
B)axis
C)atlanto-axial
D)none of these answers is correct

Question 10

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

A)cervical
B)thoracic
C)lumbar
D)sacral

Question 11

Which statement is not true about the intervertebral discs?

A)act as cushions between the vertebrae
B)account for approximately 1/4 of the height of the spine
C)are responsible for spinal movement due to compression
D)all of these answers are correct

Question 12

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

A)5%
B)35%
C)50%
D)85%

Question 13

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

A)blood supply
B)body motion
C)neural activity
D)both blood supply and body motion
E)all of these answers are correct

Question 14

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

A)lordosis
B)kyphosis
C)scoliosis
D)none of these answers is correct

Question 15

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

A)female gymnasts
B)interior football linemen
C)weight lifters
D)all of these answers are correct

Question 16

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

A)the thoracic and cervical curves
B)the cervical and lumbar curves
C)the cervical and sacral curves
D)the thoracic and sacral curves

Question 17

Which of the following are potential consequences of spinal fractures?

A)paralysis
B)death
C)both paralysis and death
D)none of these answers is correct

Question 18

What joint is usually the culprit in low back pain?

A)sacroiliac
B)lumbosacral
C)sacrococcygeal
D)acetabulum

Question 19

Which vertebrae are the largest?

A)cervical
B)thoracic
C)lumbar
D)sacral

Question 20

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

A)compression
B)tension
C)shear
D)torsion

Question 21

Choose the term that describes the thick,fibrocartilaginous ring that forms the exterior of the intervertebral disc.

A)annulus fibrosus
B)nucleus pulposus
C)intraabdominal pressure
D)kyphosis

Question 22

What musculoskeletal problem causes the most absences from work?

A)ankle sprain
B)carpal tunnel syndrome
C)low back pain
D)herniated disc

Question 23

Choose the term that describes the yellow ligament that connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae; distinguished by its elasticity.

A)ligamentum flavum
B)lordosis
C)motion segment
D)nucleus pulposus

Question 24

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

A)extension
B)hyperextension
C)lateral flexion
D)both extension and hyperextension
E)all of these answers are correct

Question 25

Which abdominal muscles cause rotation to the left?

A)left internal oblique
B)right external oblique
C)left rectus abdominis
D)both left internal oblique and right external oblique
E)all of these answers are correct

Question 26

Choose the term that describes the colloidal gel with a high fluid content,located inside the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc.

A)ligamentum flavum
B)lordosis
C)annulus fibrosus
D)nucleus pulposus

Question 27

Choose the term that describes the stress on the spine created by tension in the resting ligaments.

A)prestress
B)primary spinal curves
C)scoliosis
D)secondary spinal curves

Question 28

Lateral deviations in spinal curvature are called what?

A)lordosis
B)kyphosis
C)scoliosis
D)all of these answers are correct

Question 29

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

A)compression
B)tension
C)shear
D)torsion

Question 30

Choose the term that describes "believed to help stiffen the lumbar spine against buckling."

A)annulus fibrosus
B)flexion relaxation phenomenon
C)intraabdominal pressure
D)kyphosis

Question 31

Anterior pelvic tilt facilitates what type of spinal motion?

A)flexion
B)extension
C)lateral flexion
D)rotation

Question 32

Choose the term that describes the curves that do not develop until the weight of the body begins to be supported in sitting and standing positions.

A)prestress
B)primary spinal curves
C)scoliosis
D)secondary spinal curves

Question 33

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

A)posterior
B)anterior
C)lateral
D)inferior

Question 34

Choose the term that describes the two adjacent vertebrae and the associated soft tissues; the functional unit of the spine.

A)ligamentum flavum
B)lordosis
C)motion segment
D)nucleus pulposus

Question 35

Which type of exaggerated curve is often caused by osteoporosis?

A)lordosis
B)kyphosis
C)scoliosis
D)all of these answers are correct

Question 36

Which of the spinal curves are referred to as secondary curves?

A)the thoracic and cervical curves
B)the cervical and lumbar curves
C)the cervical and sacral curves
D)the thoracic and sacral curves

Question 37

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

A)herniated disc
B)whiplash
C)spondylolisthesis
D)spondylolysis

Question 38

Choose the term that describes the lateral spinal curvature.

A)scoliosis
B)kyphosis
C)spondylolisthesis
D)spondylolysis

Question 39

Choose the term that describes an extreme thoracic curvature.

A)spondylolysis
B)spondylolisthesis
C)scoliosis
D)kyphosis

Question 40

Choose the term that describes the complete bilateral fracture of the pars interarticularis,resulting in the anterior slippage of the vertebra.

A)scoliosis
B)lordosis
C)spondylolisthesis
D)spondylolysis

Question 41

A slight forward lean during sitting increases the load on the spine.

Question 42

From superior to inferior,there are 7 ________ vertebrae,12 ________ vertebrae,5 ________ vertebrae,5 ________ vertebrae,and 4 ________ vertebrae.

Question 43

Extreme lumbar curvature is called ________.

Question 44

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

Question 45

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

Question 46

Lumbar spondylolysis is more prevalent in men than women.

Question 47

To minimize postural adaptations,a back pack load should be as high as possible near the shoulders.

Question 48

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

Question 49

Obese individuals typically display increased anterior pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis.