Spine

Question 1

Cervical Spine

Answer 1

The seven neck vertebrae (C1-C7); the smallest and most mobile vertebrae; allow head turning and nodding.

Question 2

Thoracic Spine

Answer 2

The twelve upper/mid back vertebrae (T1-T12); connect to ribs; less mobile due to rib cage; primary site of rotation.

Question 3

Lumbar Spine

Answer 3

The five lower back vertebrae (L1-L5); large, sturdy vertebrae bearing most upper body weight; allow significant flexion and extension.

Question 4

Sacral Spine

Answer 4

Five vertebrae fused into one triangular bone (the sacrum); no movement between fused segments.

Question 5

Coccygeal Spine

Answer 5

Four vertebrae fused into one small bone (the coccyx or tailbone); remnant of ancestral tail.

Question 6

Vertebral Body

Answer 6

The thick, cylindrical, weight-bearing portion at the front of each vertebra; vertebral bodies stack on top of each other with discs in between.

Question 7

Spinous Process

Answer 7

The bony projection extending backward (posteriorly) from the vertebral arch; the bumps you feel down your back.

Question 8

Transverse Processes

Answer 8

Two projections extending out to the sides (laterally) from the vertebral arch; where muscles and ligaments attach.

Question 9

Vertebral Foramen

Answer 9

The hole in the center of each vertebra; when vertebrae stack, these holes align to create the vertebral canal for the spinal cord.

Question 10

Facet Joints (Posterior Intervertebral Joints)

Answer 10

Small synovial joints where articular processes of adjacent vertebrae meet; allow multiple movements: flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation.

Question 11

Intervertebral Disc

Answer 11

The cushion between each pair of movable vertebrae; allows movement and absorbs shock; made of nucleus pulposus (gel center) and annulus fibrosus (tough outer ring).

Question 12

Nucleus Pulposus

Answer 12

The inner core of an intervertebral disc; gel-like substance about 80% water; acts like a water balloon.

Question 13

Annulus Fibrosus

Answer 13

The outer ring of an intervertebral disc; made of tough, fibrous cartilage in concentric layers; contains the nucleus pulposus.

Question 14

Disc Herniation

Answer 14

When the annulus fibrosus (outer ring) tears and the nucleus pulposus (inner gel) leaks out; can press on spinal nerves causing pain, numbness, or weakness.

Question 15

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 15

The strongest spinal ligament; runs along the front of the vertebral bodies; prevents excessive extension (backward bending).

Question 16

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Answer 16

Spinal ligament running along the back of the vertebral bodies (inside the vertebral canal); prevents excessive flexion (forward bending).

Question 17

Ligamentum Flavum

Answer 17

Elastic spinal ligaments connecting the laminae of adjacent vertebrae; yellowish color from high elastin content; help maintain upright posture and prevent excessive forward bending.

Question 18

Cervical Lordosis

Answer 18

The natural forward curve (concave posteriorly) of the neck; a secondary curve that develops when baby lifts head.

Question 19

Thoracic Kyphosis

Answer 19

The natural backward curve (convex posteriorly) of the upper back; a primary curve present at birth.

Question 20

Lumbar Lordosis

Answer 20

The natural forward curve (concave posteriorly) of the lower back; a secondary curve that develops when baby learns to walk.

Question 21

Sacral Kyphosis

Answer 21

The natural backward curve (convex posteriorly) of the sacrum; a primary curve present at birth.

Question 22

Erector Spinae

Answer 22

A group of three parallel muscles running along the back on either side of the spine; primary function is to extend (arch backward) the spine; consists of spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis.

Question 23

Spinalis

Answer 23

The most medial (closest to spine) of the three erector spinae muscles; runs closest to the spine, attaching to spinous processes.

Question 24

Longissimus

Answer 24

The middle erector spinae muscle; the longest and largest; runs between transverse processes; primary workhorse of spinal extension.

Question 25

Iliocostalis

Answer 25

The most lateral (furthest from spine) of the three erector spinae muscles; runs near the ribs; helps with lateral flexion and extension.

Question 26

External Oblique

Answer 26

The outermost layer of abdominal muscles; fibers run diagonally down and forward; creates rotation and assists with flexion.

Question 27

Internal Oblique

Answer 27

The middle layer of abdominal muscles beneath the external oblique; fibers run diagonally up and forward (opposite direction); works with external oblique on opposite side for rotation.

Question 28

Transverse Abdominis

Answer 28

The deepest layer of abdominal muscles; fibers run horizontally like a corset; primary function is stabilization and compression; engaged with uddiyana bandha.

Question 29

Rectus Abdominis

Answer 29

The "six-pack" muscle running vertically from pubis to ribs; flexes the spine.

Question 30

Multifidus

Answer 30

Short, deep spinal muscles connecting one vertebra to the next; extremely important for segmental stability.

Question 31

Spinal Flexion

Answer 31

Forward bending of the spine; reduces the curves (e.g., uttanasana, paschimottanasana).

Question 32

Spinal Extension

Answer 32

Backward bending of the spine; increases the curves (e.g., urdhva dhanurasana, ustrasana, shalabhasana).

Question 33

Lateral Flexion

Answer 33

Side bending of the spine to left or right (e.g., trikonasana, parsvakonasana).

Question 34

Spinal Rotation

Answer 34

Twisting of the spine left or right around the vertical axis (e.g., marichyasana C & D, ardha matsyendrasana).

Question 35

Axial Extension

Answer 35

Lengthening the spine; creating space between vertebrae; not technically a movement but a quality of all movements.