Deck 14: The Spine: Structure, Function, and Posture

Question 1

The difference between a lordotic posture and a slouched posture is:

A)Only the lordotic posture has lumbar lordosis.
B)Flexion in both the upper lumbar and lower thoracic spine occurs with the slouched posture.
C)Extension of the pelvis on the femurs occurs with the lordotic posture.
D)There is no difference; both affect the pelvis and lumbar spine the same way.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The anterior pillar of the spine:

A)Consists of the vertebral bodies and the vertebral arches.
B)Includes the sternum and the 12 pairs of ribs.
C)Is the weight-bearing portion of the spinal column.
D)Provides the gliding mechanism for movement.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Your patient describes having cervical and upper thoracic pain progressing throughout the day at work where she works by reaching forward and overhead on an assembly line.On evaluation you determine she is experiencing "stretch weakness" from prolonged postural positioning.The treatment program you design should primarily include all of the following except:

A)Posture training for safe body mechanics.
B)Muscular endurance and strengthening.
C)Stretching for the involved postural muscles.
D)Environmental adaptations for ergonomic relief and protection.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Motion at a functional unit of the spine is defined by what is occurring with the:

A)Anterior portion of the body of the superior vertebrae.
B)Anterior portion of the body of the inferior vertebrae.
C)Spinous process of the superior vertebrae.
D)Spinous process of the inferior vertebrae.

Question 5

All of the following are generally true of the nucleus pulposus except:

A)It is the axis of motion for the functional units of the spine.
B)It takes on and/or releases water in response to compressive loads.
C)It is centrally aligned within the annulus fibrosis at all levels of the spine to provide uniform shock absorption.
D)It is covered superiorly and inferiorly by a cartilaginous end-plate.

Question 6

Your patient describes posterior cervical pain and headaches that get progressively worse throughout each workday.She is a computer programmer, plays tennis on the weekends, and is an aerobic walker in the evenings.Your evaluation reveals a person who is physically fit with well-balanced flexibility and strength.Your treatment emphasis will be:

A)Stretching the short suboccipital, levator, and scalene muscles.
B)Teaching tension-reducing postures and modification of chair, desk, and computer heights.
C)Teaching proper warm-up exercises and progressing her aerobic program to running.
D)Changing her sleeping posture and pillow height.

Question 7

Postural stability of the spine is provided by:

A)Elasticity of passive restraints.
B)Interaction of passive restraints and muscle control.
C)Interaction of muscle control modulated by the central nervous system and passive restraints.
D)Muscle activity maintaining balance in the neutral zone.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes scoliosis?

A)A transverse plane deviation of the vertebrae usually involving the thoracic and lumbar regions
B)A lateral curvature of the spine wherein rotation of the vertebral bodies is toward the convexity of the curve
C)An irreversible lateral curvature with fixed rotation of the vertebrae caused by lordotic posture
D)A collapse of intervertebral space resulting from weakness of the deep segmental muscle of the spine

Question 9

The spinal muscles that are activated first with rapid arm movements are the:

A)Erector spinae and rectus abdominis.
B)Internal and external obliques.
C)Multifidus and internal obliques.
D)Transversus abdominis and multifidus.

Question 10

Your patient complains of cervical pain and headaches.You notice that she has a forward head and round back posture.The complaints could be derived from all of the following except:

A)Impingement on the neurovascular bundle from sternocleidomastoid muscle tightness.
B)Increased tension in the muscles of mastication with associated temporomandibular joint syndrome.
C)Irritation of the facet joints in the upper cervical spine.
D)Impingement of the suboccipital nerves.

Question 11

Which of the following is true of a flat low-back posture?

A)It is the best posture for a healthy spine.
B)It is typically associated with tight hip flexor muscles.
C)It reduces the shock-absorbing function of the spinal curves.
D)It should be the goal of all back rehabilitation programs.

Question 12

To teach a patient how to manage painful symptoms related to poor posture, which of the following is most important?

A)Awareness of the relationship between the faulty posture and pain
B)Stretching program
C)Strengthening program
D)High-repetition, low-resistance exercise program

Question 13

Your patient has a forward head posture.On testing (supine-lying), she cannot isolate capital flexion to lift her head when you ask her to flex her neck.Passively you can move the head about 5° into capital flexion and then feel tissue resistance.Based on these supine tests, what muscles are tight and what muscles are weak?

A)Tight suboccipital muscles and weak longus capitis and longus colli muscles
B)Tight erector spinae and weak sternocleidomastoid muscles
C)Tight splenius capitis and splenius cervicis muscles and weak multifidus muscles
D)Tight erector spinae and weak suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles

Question 14

Characteristics of the global muscles in the spine include all of the following except:

A)Provide dynamic stability to each segment in the spine.
B)Prime movers of the spine.
C)Multisegmental guy wires.
D)Control spinal orientation in response to external loads.

Question 15

A sustained faulty posture that stresses the ligamentous or joint structures usually results in:

A)Diffuse pain that is relieved when the mechanical stress is stopped.
B)Diffuse pain that is relieved with pain medication, modalities, and massage
C)Sharp pain that cannot be relieved until the tissue heals.
D)Sharp pain that changes in intensity as the posture changes.

Question 16

Your patient describes increased pain in the back in the morning before getting out of bed.The patient should be:

A)Advised never to sleep prone.
B)Evaluated for sleeping posture and advised in mechanically safe adaptations.
C)Advised to sleep in a recliner or with a pillow under her knees to accentuate hip flexion.
D)Advised to place a board under a soft mattress.