Atypical cervical vertebrae: C2/axis/Epistropheus

Question 1

What names are given to C2

Answer 1

Axis or Epistropheus

Question 2

What unique vertebral body modification is characteristic of C2

Answer 2

The dens or odontoid process

Question 3

How many joint surfaces are present on the odontoid process of C2

Answer 3

5

Question 4

What joint surfaces are present on the odontoid process of C2

Answer 4

Facet of fovea dentis
Gorrve for transverse atlantal ligament
attachment sites for the alar ligaments
attachment site for the apical-dental ligament

Question 5

Which joint classifications are represented at the odontoid process of C2

Answer 5

Fibrous syndesmosis joint

synovial pivot joint

Question 6

What is the name given to the odontoid process when the facet for the fovea dentis lies above the groove for the transverse atlantal ligament and the attachment sites for the apical-dental and alar ligaments appear to be directed posterior

Answer 6

Kyphotic Dens

Question 7

What joint surfaces are present at the inferior part of the vertebral body of C2

Answer 7

Anterior lip
Posterior lip
right and left goorves and cancellous bone

Question 8

How many joints are formed by the inferior part of the vertebral body of C2

Answer 8

5

Question 9

What joint classifications are present at the inferior part of the vertebral body of C2

Answer 9

Fibrous syndesmosis
modified synovial pivot joint
Cartilaginous symphysis

Question 10

How many joint surfaces are present at the vertebral body of C2

Answer 10

ten

Question 11

What joint classifications are present at the bertebral body of C2

Answer 11

Fibrous syndesmosis
synovial pivot
modified synovial saddle
cartilaginous symphysis

Question 12

What ligament forms the anterior boundary for the spinal canal above C2

Answer 12

Membrana tectoria

Question 13

What ligament forms the anterior boundary for the spinal canal below C2

Answer 13

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 14

What lies on the upper surface of the pedicle of C2

Answer 14

The superior articular process

Question 15

What is the location of the superior vertebral notch of C2

Answer 15

On the lamina-pedicle junction

Question 16

What attaches to the lamina of C2

Answer 16

Obliquus capitis inferior muscle
posterior atlanto-axial ligament
ligamentum flavum

Question 17

What is the appearance of the superior articular facets of C2

Answer 17

They are asymmetrical and slightly convex

Question 18

What is the facet orientation of the superior articular facet of C2

Answer 18

Backward
upward
lateral
(BUL)

Question 19

What is the orientation of the inferior articular facets of C2

Answer 19

Forward
Lateral
Down
(FoLD)

Question 20

What is the classification of the zygaphphyseal joints of C2

Answer 20

synovial plane joint

Question 21

Osseous parts of the typical cervical transverse process are present at C2

Answer 21

Costal element, posterior, tubercle and true transverse process

Question 22

What is the gender variation for the transverse diameter of C2

Answer 22

Males: 57mm
Females: 55mm

Question 23

What muscles attach to the transverse process at C2

Answer 23

Levator scapulae
Middle scalene
splenius cervicis
longissimus cervicis
intertransversarii

Question 24

What muscles attach to the spinous process of C2

Answer 24

Rectus capitis posterior major
obliquus capitis inferior
spinalis cervicis
semispinalis
multifidus
rotators
interspinalis muscles