Atypical Cervical Vertebrae + Joints

Question 1

The Atlas (C1)

Answer 1

-No body:
Usually Body is for Intervertebral Disc, no body enables joints
above/below to be more mobile
- large superior articular facets:
facilitates load bearing
- No spinous Process:
little muscle attachment
- elongated transverse process:
creates a MA for muscles that attach

Question 2

The Axis (C2)

Answer 2

• Large Superior Articular Faites:
  As there is no Intervertebral Disc, the facets are the WB joint
• presence of the dens:For the Articulation of C1 (atlas) and c2 (axis0, allowing for rotation of the atalanta -axle joint

Question 3

Atlanto- Axial Joint

Answer 3

· Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2)

- Synovial Joint
- 2 enlarged facet (plane) joints
	- = "Lateral A-A Joints"

- 1 pivot joint between dens and anterior arch of atlas
	- = "median A-A joint" Rotation, c1 pivots around dens

Question 4

Atlanto-occipital Joint

Answer 4

· Occipital bone of Skull and C1 (Atlas)

○ Synovial Joint
○ 2 enlarged condyloid joints, which enables WB of the head
○ Flex. / Ext. ‘

Articulation: Superior facets of C1 and occipital condyles Inferior aspects of skull

Question 5

Ligaments of The Cervical Spine

Answer 5

Transverse ligament:
Behind the dens, across from Interior aspects of anterior arch of C1. Its job is to hold the dens in place

Alar Ligament:- two parts, that attach from tip of dens to the edge of the foramen magnum of the skull

Cruciate ligament:
- consists of transverse ligament along with longitudinal ligament which creates a cross

Transverse Band- Between Superior Articular Facets - prevents posterior movement of dens
Longitudinal Band- transverse ligament of Atlas to occipital bone- May limit flexion at AA- and A-O JT