Deck 20: The Spine

Question 1

Identify the important points that should be covered in an observation to rule out serious back conditions.

Answer 1

Not Answer

Question 2

Identify what an athlete can do to prevent neck injuries.

Answer 2

Not Answer

Question 3

Discuss the mechanisms, signs, symptoms, and management of cervical fractures and dislocations.

Answer 3

Not Answer

Question 4

Discuss the special tests that can be performed in an evaluation of the lumbar spine.

Question 5

The cervicis region is located in the:

A) neck.
B) middle back.
C) abdomen.
D) low back.

Question 6

How many vertebrae are present in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine?

A) 5, 12, and 7, respectively
B) 10, 20, and 5, respectively
C) 7, 12, and 5, respectively
D) 7, 15, and 5, respectively

Question 7

Which of the following is true of the sacrum?

A) It consists of the atlas and the axis that permit cervical rotation.
B) It is the most inferior part of the vertebral column.
C) It is the largest vertebra, with large spinous and transverse processes.
D) It is formed by the fusion of five vertebrae and constitutes the pelvis.

Question 8

Sports movements that characteristically hyperextend the spine are likely to cause:

A) spondylolisthesis.
B) sciatica.
C) intervertebral disc syndrome.
D) spondylolysis.

Question 9

Which of the following is a deep muscle that extends and rotates the spine?

A) The thoracis
B) The hamstrings
C) The trapezius
D) The lumborum

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true of sciatica?

A) It is a complication of spondylolysis, often resulting in hypermobility of a vertebral segment.
B) It refers to a degeneration of the vertebrae and, more commonly, a defect in the articular processes of the vertebrae.
C) It produces a sharp shooting pain that follows the nerve pathway along the posterior and medial thigh.
D) It usually creates centrally located pain that radiates on one side to the buttocks and down the back of the leg.

Question 11

Which of the following is considered the strongest and the thickest of the vertebrae?

A) Cervical
B) Thoracic
C) Lumbar
D) Sacral

Question 12

Which of the following parts of the spine is vulnerable to sports injuries and consists of seven vertebrae?

A) The cervical spine
B) The thoracic spine
C) The coccyx
D) The sacrum

Question 13

Which of the following is true of a cervical dislocation?

A) It is an inflammatory condition of the sciatic nerve.
B) It occurs less frequently in sports than does a fracture.
C) It usually results from the violent flexion of the forearm.
D) It produces many of the same signs as a fracture.

Question 14

Which of the following tests checks for sacroiliac joint dysfunction?

A) The straight leg raising test
B) The compression test
C) The distraction test
D) All of the answers are correct.

Question 15

Which of the following signs and/or symptoms is the most easily discernible difference between a cervical dislocation and cervical fracture?

A) The position of the neck
B) Numbness
C) Pain
D) The weakness of muscles

Question 16

Which of the following activities helps prevent lower back injuries?

A) Arching the back while standing
B) Reducing abdominal strength
C) Sleeping on one's stomach
D) Putting one's feet flat on the floor when sitting

Question 17

Most serious cervical injuries in football result from:

A) axial loading while spearing.
B) hyperextension due to pushing the face mask up.
C) hyperflexion due to tackling the legs of the opponent.
D) the grabbing and twisting of face masks by opponents.

Question 18

Which of the following is the most common mechanism for low back strain?

A) Sudden extension with trunk rotation
B) Sudden flexion with trunk rotation
C) Hyperflexion with rotation
D) Side bending with rotation

Question 19

An athlete is unable to use the arm and complains of unilateral burning sensation, numbness and tingling, and pain extending from the shoulder down to the hand. However, after a short while, the signs disappear. The athlete is most likely suffering from:

A) acute torticollis.
B) a spinal cord contusion.
C) a pinched nerve.
D) whiplash.

Question 20

Which of the following is a sign of a cervical neck fracture?

A) Cervical pain
B) Neck point tenderness
C) Cervical muscle spasm
D) All of the answers are correct.

Question 21

When does disc herniation occur?

A) When the vertebrae slip forward and put pressure on the nerve root
B) When the nucleus pulposus of a disc presses a nerve root
C) When the pars of the vertebrae are fractured
D) When the sciatic nerve is pinched

Question 22

Sciatica is a term used to describe:

A) generalized low back pain.
B) the inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
C) chronic back pain.
D) the stretching of the sciatic nerve.

Question 23

A compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae most often occurs as a result of:

A) hyperextension.
B) rotation.
C) hyperflexion.
D) side bending.

Question 24

Which lumbar vertebra is most likely to slip as a result of spondylolisthesis?

A) L5
B) L4
C) L3
D) L2

Question 25

Which of the following occurs when hip levels are asymmetrical?

A) Disc herniation
B) Sacroiliac sprain
C) Spondylolysis
D) Sciatica

Question 26

Special tests for the lumbar spine should be performed in standing, sitting, supine, side-lying, and prone positions.

Question 27

The cervical and lumbar regions of the spine allow for extension and flexion.

Question 28

A football player or wrestler with a short neck is especially at risk for neck injury.

Question 29

A cervical fracture should always be suspected with an unconscious athlete.

Question 30

In axial loading of the cervical vertebrae, the normal anterior curve in the cervical spine flattens out.

Question 31

The neck muscles can function to protect the cervical spine by resisting excessive hyperflexion, hyperextension, or rotational forces.

Question 32

Spondylolysis refers to a degeneration of the vertebra and, more commonly, a defect in the articular processes of the vertebra.

Question 33

Fractures of the transverse and spinous processes result most often from a kick or other direct impact to the back.

Question 34

When treating a cervical sprain (where the physician has ruled out a fracture) of an athlete, it is important to make the athlete wear a soft cervical collar to reduce muscle spasm.

Question 35

Sciatica is a general term that describes all lower back pain irrespective of the exact causes.

Question 36

After an athlete suffers a contusion of the back, it is important to make sure the athlete does not have any kidney-related problems.

Question 37

The first two vertebrae in the cervical region allow for flexion and extension of the neck.

Question 38

Recognition of the compression fracture is difficult without an X-ray examination.

Question 39

The spinal column extends from the cranium to the first or second lumbar vertebra.

Question 40

The spinal cord is that portion of the central nervous system that is contained within the vertebral canal of the spinal column.

Question 41

An injury to the coccyx is usually the result of being kicked by an opponent or falling and landing hard on the buttocks.

Question 42

Spondylolisthesis is a complication of spondylolysis and most commonly results in a slipping of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

Question 43

Acute torticollis occurs when a small piece of synovial membrane is impinged between two cervical vertebrae.

Question 44

A sprain of the neck produces tears in the supporting tissue of the anterior or posterior longitudinal ligaments, the interspinous ligament, or the supraspinous ligament.