Atypical Cervical Vertebrae C2 Epistropheus/Axis

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 2 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 (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
synovial piviot (diarthrosis trochoid) joint

Question 6

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

Answer 6

lordotic dens

Question 7

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

Answer 7

kyphotic dens

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 (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis sellar)
cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis

Question 10

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

Answer 10

10

Question 11

What joint classifications are present at the vertebral body of C2

Answer 11

fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
synovial piviot (diarthrosis trochoid)
modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis sellar)
cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis

Question 12

What ligaments will attach posteriorly to the inferior epiphyseal rim of C2

Answer 12

membrana tectoria and posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 13

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

Answer 13

membrana tectoria

Question 14

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

Answer 14

posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 15

What lies on the upper surface of the pedicle of C2

Answer 15

superior articular process

Question 16

What is the location of the superior vertebral notch of C2

Answer 16

on the lamina pedicle junction

Question 17

What attaches to the lamina of C2

Answer 17

obliquus capitis inferior muscle
posterior atlanto-axial ligament
ligamentum flavum

Question 18

What muscle attaches to the lamina of C2

Answer 18

obliquus capitis inferior

Question 19

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

Answer 19

BUL backward upward and lateral

Question 20

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

Answer 20

FoLD foreward lateral and down

Question 21

What muscle attaches to the articular processes of C2

Answer 21

longissimus cervicis

Question 22

What osseous parts of the typical cervical transverse process are present at C2

Answer 22

Costal element
posterior tubercle
true transverse process

Question 23

What is the gender variation for the transverse diameter of C2

Answer 23

males 57 mm

females 50 mm

Question 24

What muscles attache to the transverse process at C2

Answer 24

levator scapulae
middle scalene
splenius cervicis
longissimus cervicis 
intertransversarii

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Bifid

Question 26

What muscles attach to the spinous process of C2

Answer 26

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