Anatomy and Applied Anatomy of Cervical and Thoracic Spine Flashcards
The vertebral column contains 7 relatively mobile ________ vertebrae and ____ relatively immobile thoracic vertebrae.
Cervical
12
Typical cervical vertebrae:
The ________ of the discrete vertebrae, form the neck skeleton, ______ spinous processes (not C7), transverse ___________ in transverse process - conduit for __________ artery and vein, except C7 which transmits the __________ vertebral vein. Large, ____________ vertebral foramen, body is _______ and broad. Superior articular facets face upwards and ____________ and the opposite for inferior.
Smallest Bifid Foramen Vertebral Accessory Triangular Small Backwards
What is the atlas and what does it articulate with?
The atlas is C1. It articulates with the Occiput of the skull superiorly (the altanto-occipital joint) for 50% neck flexion and extension and with the axis inferiorly (Atlanto-axial joint) for 50% neck rotation.
How does the structure of the atlas/C1 differentiate it from other cervical vertebrae?
The atlas has no vertebral body, as it is fused with C2 to make the dens/odontoid process and no spinous process. It is the widest cervical vertebrae (with a spacious vertebral foramen) and the vertebral arches are thick and strong to form a powerful lateral mass.
The axis, C2, is the strongest cervical vertebra, what are its 3 main features?
The dens/odontoid process, the rugged lateral mass and the large spinous process.
What do the dens and the transverse ligament (around it) work together to do?
Prevent horizontal displacement of the atlas (and subsequent neurological injury).
How is the C7 vertebra distinct?
It is the vertebra prominens (surface anatomy landmark), with the longest spinous process of the cervical vertebrae, which is not bifid. It also has large transverse processes but the foramen transversium is small and only transmits accessory vertebral veins.
What is the Ligamentum nuchae/nuchal ligament and where does it attach?
It is a thickening on the supraspinous ligament (quite deep), attached to the external occipital protrubance, the spinous processes of all cervical vertebrae (including C7).
What are the functions of the nuchal ligament?
Maintain the secondary curvature of the cervical spine, helps the cervical spine support the head (palpate on flexion) and is a major site of attachment for neck and trunk muscles.
Other than the Ligamentum nuchae, what are the ligaments of the vertebral column?
Anterior (longer than) and posterior longitudinal ligaments, supra and interspinous ligaments and the ligamentum flavum, all of which provide stability.
What are the movements possible of the cervical spine (and their angles)?
Flexion and extension (70 degrees), lateral flexion (45 degrees) and rotation (80 degrees).
Thoracic vertebrae:
Demifacets on the sides of the ______ for articulation with the ______ of the rib (its own and the one below) -T__-T___, then whole facets (T__-T__). Costal facets on ____________ processes are for articulation with the ____________ on the neck of the rib.
Body Head 2-8 9-10 Transverse Tubercule
Describe the vertebral foramen and position of the articular processes on thoracic vertebrae.
The vertebral foramen is small and circular. The superior articular process faces posterolaterally and the inferior articular processes face anteromedially to permit rotation and limit flexion.
Neuroanatomy: what type of tracts are in the anterior and posterior cord and what controls the arms and legs?
The anterior cord had sensory and motor functions (light touch, pinprick and pain), while the posterior cord (dorsal columns), just has sensory functions - vibration and proprioception. More central tracts move the arms and those lateral move the legs.
You may get anterior, central (inverted paraplegia) or posterior (ataxia) Cord syndrome (cervical spinal cord injury).
Dermatomes: C2,3 and 4 are the ... T4 below ... Costal margin is ... And T10 is the ...
Neck
Nipples
T8
Umbilicus
