Which statement is true about kissing spines?

Which statement is true about kissing spines?

• A. They involve impingement of the spinous processes on one another
• B. They involve rotation of the stomach
• C. They involve thickening of the supraspinous ligament
• D. They involve inflammation of the joint capsules

Answer: (A)

Kissing spines are defined by impingement between the dorsal spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. When these processes contact or rub against each other, the surrounding tissues become irritated, producing pain, sensitivity along the spine, and changes in movement or performance. This dorsal contact is the hallmark of the condition and explains why back pain is localized to the region where the spinous processes override one another. The other statements describe different ideas not central to kissing spines. Rotation of the stomach is unrelated to spinal anatomy. Thickening of the supraspinous ligament can occur with various back changes but does not define kissing spines, and inflammation of the joint capsules would imply a joint-based issue (such as capsulitis of the facet joints) rather than the contact between spinous processes.

Kissing spines are defined by impingement between the dorsal spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. When these processes contact or rub against each other, the surrounding tissues become irritated, producing pain, sensitivity along the spine, and changes in movement or performance. This dorsal contact is the hallmark of the condition and explains why back pain is localized to the region where the spinous processes override one another.

The other statements describe different ideas not central to kissing spines. Rotation of the stomach is unrelated to spinal anatomy. Thickening of the supraspinous ligament can occur with various back changes but does not define kissing spines, and inflammation of the joint capsules would imply a joint-based issue (such as capsulitis of the facet joints) rather than the contact between spinous processes.