LECTURE-1

Introduction

BIO-MECHANICS OF
VERTEBERAL COLUMN
Objectives
 Identify the main structures of the trunk,
including bones, joints, special structures, and
deep and superficial muscles.
 Identify normal curvatures of the spine,
including the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar
regions.
 Label and palpate the major surface landmarks
of the trunk.
 Identify both the synergists, agonist and
antagonists involved in each movement of the
trunk (flexion, extension, etc.)
Background
Why
biomechanics
Introduction

“The vertebral column also known as

back bone is a complex structure
which meet the demands of mobility
and stability of the trunk and
extremities, also protect the spinal
cord”
 ALIGNMENT

STABILTY
SPINE
KINAMETICS
BIOMECHANICS

KINETICS
Outline
total 33 vertebras are divided as:

Cervical (neck) - 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)

Thoracic (chest) - 12 vertebrae (T1-T12)

Lumbar (lower back) - 5 vertebrae (L1-L5)

Sacral (pelvis) - 5 fused vertebrae (S1-S5)

Coccygeal (tail) - 3-5 vertebrae (Co1-Co3)

ALIGNMENT OF SPINE
Spinal alignment

primary Secondary
Primary curvature

 Develops in pregnancy -mid term

 Primary curvature remains in adults.
 Concave anteriorly
 Called khypotic curves
 e.g.: thorax and sacrum curvatures
Spinal curvatures
2. Secondary curvatures

 Reverse to primary curves.

 Convex anteriorly
 Develops in early childhood.
 i.e. cervical and lumber curvature
 Called Lordotic curvatures
Why spine curves
are important ?
Spine curves development
Normal spinal curves
FUNCTION OF THE SPINE
Mobile segment

“ the smallest functional unit of the spine is called as

mobile segment”
Parts:
 Two adjacent vertebras
 Intervertebral disc
 Soft tissues which secure them, i.e. Ligaments and
muscles
Typical vertebrae

1. Body-ant cylindrical part

2. Neural arch
 Pedicel
 Posterior elements
a. Lamina
- pars interarticularis
b. Articular surfaces-facets
c. Spinus process
d. Transverse process
The intervertebral disc
Three main parts
 Nucleus pulposus 70-90%
water
 Annulus fibrosus 60-70%
water
 Vertebral end plates
0.6mm-1mm thick,
hyaline + fibro cartilage
covers the entire nucleus
pulposus
Articulations
1. Inter body joints cartilaginous
joints.
 Having disc b/w two vertebrae
 Degree of freedom=6
 Movements gliding,
distraction and rotation
different in different region of
spine all movements are
influenced by facet joints
2. Zygapophyseal joints( facet joints)
 synovial joints diarthrodial
joints.
 direct movements of the spine i.e.
flex/ext
Why the movement type
and extend varies in
different parts of spine ?
KINATICS
Abnormal curves mechanics
Shear forces increases
Activities and disc pressure
Activities and disc pressure
Obesity and forces
STABILTY
STABILITY

PASSIVE

NEURAL ACTIVE
Passive
Ligaments
 Active
structures
(muscles)
Neural