Deck 9: The Biomechanics of the Human Spine

Question 1

Which part of the vertebrae bears the most weight?

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

Answer 1

body

Question 2

The spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae inhibit movement in which plane?

A) sagittal
B) frontal
C) transverse
D) all of the above

Answer 2

sagittal

Question 3

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 the above

Answer 3

symphysis joints

Question 4

The sacral region of the spine is fused to which of the following bones?

A) the ilium
B) the ischium
C) the pubis
D) all of the above

Question 5

What type of joint occurs between the superior and inferior articulating facets of adjacent vertebrae?

A) cartilaginous
B) non-axial gliding
C) hinge
D) condyloid

Question 6

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

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

Question 7

Which of the following is not true about lordosis?

A) often accompanied by anterior pelvic tilt
B) can be caused by poor abdominal flexibility
C) often accompanies weight gain and pregnancy
D) all of the above are true

Question 8

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

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

Question 9

Movement of the spine occurs in which plane(s)?

A) sagittal
B) frontal
C) transverse
D) all of the above

Question 10

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

Question 11

What joint is usually the culprit in low back pain?

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

Question 12

Which of the following helps the spine absorb shock?

A) spinal curves
B) intervertebral discs
C) ligaments
D) both A & B
E) all of the above

Question 13

Which of the following are potential consequences of spinal fractures?

A) paralysis
B) death
C) both A and B
D) none of the above

Question 14

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 15

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 the above are true

Question 16

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

A) lordosis
B) kyphosis
C) scoliosis
D) none of the above

Question 17

Which vertebrae are the largest?

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

Question 18

Lack of flexibility in which of the following muscle groups can cause anterior pelvic tilt?

A) hip flexors
B) erector spinae
C) abdominals
D) both A & B
E) all of the above

Question 19

The rectus abdominis causes flexion when contracted ________.

A) unilaterally
B) bilaterally
C) eccentrically
D) all of the above

Question 20

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 A and B
D) none of the above

Question 21

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 the above

Question 22

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 23

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

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

Question 24

The most superior cervical vertebrae is called what?

A) atlas
B) axis
C) atlanto-axial
D) none of the above

Question 25

Attachment to the ribs limits range of motion in which vertebrae?

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

Question 26

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

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

Question 27

Sprains occur in what type of tissue?

A) muscles
B) tendons
C) ligaments
D) all of the above

Question 28

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

A) extension
B) hyperextension
C) lateral flexion
D) both A and B
E) all of the above

Question 29

Anterior pelvic tilt facilitates what type of spinal motion?

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

Question 30

Lateral deviations in spinal curvature are called what?

A) lordosis
B) kyphosis
C) scoliosis
D) all of the above

Question 31

What musculoskeletal problem causes the most absences from work?

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

Question 32

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 A and B
E) all of the above

Question 33

Spinal relaxation phenomenon explains what?

A) inactivity of spinal extensors during full flexion
B) inactivity of spinal flexors during full flexion
C) sit and reach flexibility test
D) yoga

Question 34

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 35

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 the above

Question 36

Which type of exaggerated curve is often caused by osteoporosis?

A) lordosis
B) kyphosis
C) scoliosis
D) all of the above

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

Which abdominal muscles cause rotation to the left?

A) left internal oblique
B) right external oblique
C) left rectus abdominis
D) both A and B
E) all of the above

Question 39

Which of the following contributes to increased spinal loading?

A) rotation (as compared to flexion
B) asymmetrical frontal loads
C) increased lifting speeds
D) both A and B
E) all of the above

Question 40

What type of articulation occurs between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae?

A) cartilaginous
B) non-axial gliding
C) hinge
D) condyloid

Question 41

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

Question 42

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

Question 43

Explain proper lifting including rationale. Also, explain why twisting should be avoided when lifting.

Question 44

List and describe the three abnormal deviations in the spinal curvature, including symptoms, possible causes, and treatment options.

Question 45

Describe the most common back injury, including degree of incidence, possible causes and treatments.

Question 46

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

Question 47

Lumbar spondylolysis is more prevalent in men than women.

Question 48

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

Question 49

List and discuss the primary abdominal muscles, explaining how they perform motion in all three planes.

Question 50

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

Question 51

Extreme lumbar curvature is called ___________________.

Question 52

Describe the range of motion in all three planes for each vertebral region relative to the other regions.

Question 53

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

Question 54

Backing up a car has been identified as an activity of daily living which requires extreme range of motion in the cervical region.

Question 55

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