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 for fovea dentis, groove for transverse Atlantal ligament, attachment sites for the alar ligaments, attachment site for the apical-dental ligament

Question 5

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 5

Lordotic dens

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Kyphotic dens

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Anterior lip, posterior lip, right and left lateral grooves and cancellous bone

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis, modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis sellar) and cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Ten

Question 10

What joint classifications are present at eh enteral Boyd of C2?

Answer 10

Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis, synovial pivot (diarthrosis Trochiod), modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis Sellar) and cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Membrane tectoria

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 13

What lies on the upper surface of the pedicle of C2?

Answer 13

The superior articular process

Question 14

What is the location of the superior vertebral notch of C2?

Answer 14

On the lamina-pedicle junction

Question 15

What attaches to the lamina of C2?

Answer 15

Obliquus capitis inferior muscle, posterior Atlanto-axial ligament, ligamentum flavum

Question 16

What is the appearance of the superior articular facets of C2?

Answer 16

They are asymmetrical and slightly convex

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Backward, upward and lateral (BUL)

Question 18

What is the orientation of the inferior articular facets of C2?

Answer 18

Forward, lateral, and down (FoLD)

Question 19

What muscle attaches to the articular processes of C2?

Answer 19

Longissimus cervicis

Question 20

What is the gender variation for the transverse diameter of C2?

Answer 20

Males: 57 mm and females: 50mm

Question 21

What muscles attach to the transverse process of C2?

Answer 21

Levator scapulae, middle scalene, splenius cervicis, longissimus cervicis and intertransversarii

Question 22

What is the characteristic appearance of the C2 spinous process in humans?

Answer 22

Bifid

Question 23

What is the location for palpation of the spinous process of C2?

Answer 23

In the midline, about 2 inches below the external occipital protuberance

Question 24

What muscles attach to the spinous process of C2?

Answer 24

Rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis inferior, spinalis cervicis, semispinalis cervicis, multifidis, rotators and interspinalis muscles

Question 25

What ligaments attach to the spinous process of C2?

Answer 25

Ligamentum nuchae, interspinous ligaments