1 What are the major objectives of spinal imaging tests? Common reasons to order spinal imaging studies are to: 1. Rule out serious spinal pathology, such as tumor or infection. 2. Screen the spinal column for injuries following trauma. 3.…
1 Distinguish between impairment, disability, and handicap. An impairment is the “deviation of an anatomic structure, physiologic function, intellectual capability, or emotional status from that which the individual possessed prior to an alteration in those structures or functions or from…
1 What is a spinal deformity? A spinal deformity is an abnormality of the alignment, formation, or shape of the spinal column. Traditionally, spinal deformities have been classified into those that predominantly affect the coronal plane (e.g., idiopathic scoliosis) and…
Osteology 1 Describe a typical lumbar vertebra. The vertebral bodies are kidney shaped with the transverse diameter exceeding the anteroposterior diameter ( Fig. 3.1 ). The vertebral body may be divided by an imaginary line passing beneath the pedicles into…
Osteology 1 Describe a typical thoracic vertebra. T1 and T10 through T12 possess unique anatomic features due to their transitional location between the cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar spinal regions, respectively. Thoracic vertebra two through nine are termed typical thoracic vertebra because…
Osteology 1 Describe the bony landmarks of the occiput. The occiput forms the posterior osseous covering for the cerebellum. The foramen magnum is the opening through which the spinal cord joins the brainstem. The anterior border of the foramen magnum…