Hey, ethel!

[spacebug]

Hey Ethel - an artist friend wants to know about how vertebrae moves in cats, like which parts of the spine have what range of motion. It's true, now when I think about backs and cats, my thoughts turn to you. (others are welcome to chime in, too!)

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

There are 3 joints in between any given pairs of vertebrae. Two articular process joints and the main disc.

Range of motion is tricky, because any given joint can slide in all 3 dimensions as well as rotate in any given direction. But the whole segment will bend as a result of these three joints working together. The amount of twist placed on any joint will limit its ability to translate for instance. The range of motion in a spine is the cumulative effect of all these mini motions at each segment. Usually measured in the 2-10° range, but varying from vertebrae to vertebrae.

Tough question, harder to find a straight answer for. I told you how I used to model spinal biomechanics right?

[ethel.livejournal.com]

Question forwarded to mskitty23 who is also a back gimp and is a cat expert.