3.1 Osteology and Radiography of the Cervical Spine Flashcards
What is the alternative name for the C1 vertebrae?
Atlas
What is the alternative name for the C2 vertebrae?
Axis
What is special about the atlas bone?
No body or spinous process
What is special about the axis bone?
Odontoid peg (Dens)
What is the function of the Dens?
Allows movement of the head
What movement does the axis allow?
Horizontal movement
What movement does the atlas allow?
Vertical movement
What is special about the C7 vertebra?
Prominent, non-bifid spinous process, large transverse process
Describe some features of a ‘normal’ cervical vertebrae
Body
Triangle shaped vertebral foramen
Transverse foramen
Bifid spine
What is a burst fracture (Jefferson)?
Break on both sides of atlas
Caused by falling head first from height
What is a hangman’s fracture?
Hyperextension of the head on the neck. Lamina of axis breaks
How many bones make up the skull?
22
How are the bones of the skull connected?
Sutures or symphyses
Which main bones make up the ‘box’ of the skull?
Frontal Parietal Temporal Sphenoid Occipital
What is the major opening into the skull called?
Foramen magnum
What type if bones are the skull bones?
Flat bones- dense and strong
Describe the composition of the cranium
Tri-lamina bony structure- 2 hard plates with a spongy bone plate (Dipoe) between
What is the Calvaria?
Bony housing of the brain
What is the name of the two suture points in the cranial cap?
Bregma point
Lambda point
Where is the frontal bone located?
Anterior part of skull vault, upper border of orbital margins, roof of orbit
Where is the parietal bone located?
Large part of the side and roof of the cranial cavity
Where is the ethmoid bone located?
Midline of the anterior cranial fossa, projects into the nose
Describe the sphenoid bone
Made up of body, 2 wings and the pterygoid process
Describe the connections between the bones in a neonate skull
Cranial sutures wide, bones held together by thick connective tissue (fontanelles)
Why is a neonate skull loosely connected?
To allow movement between the bones during birth