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Tutorial on Descriptive Listings

Interpreting the Listing

Let's take a look at how the following listing could be described in a National board test
question.

This listing could be described in the following ways:

1. As a Gonstead Listing: PRS
2. Fixation is the position the bone is in: Left lateral flexion fixation, left rotation fixation. A
fixation always describes the position that the BODY of the vertebra is in. Pay careful
attention to the order of the information when interpreting the listing.
3. Malposition is the same as Fixation: Left lateral flexion malposition, left rotation
malposition. Again, malposition describes the BODY position.
4. Restriction: Restriction describes what motion palpation would feel like when this
intersegental fixation is palpated. This would be described as a Right rotation restriction
(the BODY won't turn toward the right) and a Right lateral flexion restriction (the BODY won't
bend toward the right because of the open wedge). If a restricted motion does not specify
what part of the segment is restricted you are to assume body restrictions.
5. Restrictions at the spinous: A left rotation restriction of the spinous process. That
means the spinous won't rotate from right to left (without a little help from the
chiropractor).
6. Postional:
a. The left TP is posterior and inferior
b. The left body is posterior and inferior
c. The spinous is right and superior
d. The right transverse process is anterior and superior
e. The body is left with a right superior spinous

Interpreting the Listing with a scoliosis

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Consider the following picture and we will see how the National Boards will describe this.

The arc on the right is depicting a scoliosis. This would be a right scoliosis because it is
convex to the right. It is common to see the phrase "right sectional scoliosis" which just
means that it is sweeping along multiple segments in the section.
Descriptions:
1. Gonstead Listing PLT
2. A right rotation fixation with a right sectional scoliosis
3. A left rotation restriction in a right scoliosis
4. A left spinous with a right sectional scoliosis
5. A right prominent TP with a right scoliosis
Make sure you understand that this segmental contact point will always be the right
transverse process in order to thrust into the convexity of the curve.
Now you try to name the following position:

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Descriptive Listings at Atlas

Questions regarding atlas's position should be assumed that it is a full spine listing (which is
described in relation to C2) and not a toggle listing (which describes C1 to Occiput).

Note that the open wedge (swollen joint capsule) is between C1 and C2 on the right. This is
the side of laterality. Also note that the right lateral mass is narrower which describes a
posteriorly rotated atlas on the right. In this case the following descriptions can be used:
1. Gonstead ASRP
2. The right atlas TP is posterior and superior
3. Atlas is laterally flexed to the left and right rotated (note: the body of atlas is right
rotated)
4. Atlas has a right lateral flexion restriction and a left rotation restriction
5. Atlas is superior with increased spacing between the tp and mandible on the right

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Now you try to describe the following position in multiple ways!

Describing Listings at Occiput

Atlas and Occiput are nearly the same when it comes to descriptors. The occiput is
described as laterally flexed (side of laterality) and rotated (anterior or posterior on the side
of laterality)
Consider the following occiput:

This occiput is open wedged on the right and it's rotation will be listed opposite the atlas
rotation. In this case the atlas is narrow on the right or posterior so occiput will be listed as
anterior on the side of laterality.
The following are possible descriptions of occiput:
1. Gonstead: PSRSRA
2. The occiput is right superior and anterior
3. The occiput is left laterally flexed and rotated
4. The occiput is restricted in right lateral flexion and right rotation
5. The right mastoid is superior and anterior

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6. The right mastoid is anterior and superior to the right atlas TP

Remember the LOC for occiput is LM and SI to fix the laterality (close the swollen
joint capsule) then add AP or PA to fix the rotation.

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