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Question 1

What are the specialised features of C1 (the atlas) and C2 (the axis)?

Answer 1

C1: No body: has ‘anterior arch’ instead; no spinous process: has ‘posterior arch’ instead; elongated, curved superior articular facet – for articulation with occipital condyle; very flat inferior articular facet for articulation with C2.

C2: Body with extra superior projection (the ‘dens’ or ‘odontoid process’); rounded superior articular facet for articulation with C1.

Question 2

What movement occurs between the atlas and the occipital condyles?

Answer 2

Flexion / Extension – nodding your head (this is called the ‘yes joint’

Question 3

What movement occurs between the atlas and the axis?

Answer 3

Rotation – shaking your head (this is called the ‘no joint’)

Question 4

what is the action of the superficial back muscles?

Answer 4

respiration

Question 5

what is the action of the intermediate back muscles?

Answer 5

respiration

Question 6

what is the action of the deep back muscles?

Answer 6

movement of the spinal column and posture

Question 7

what is the specific action of levator scapulae?

Answer 7

elevation and inferior rotation of the scapula

Question 8

what is the specific action of the serratus posterior superior muscle?

Answer 8

elevates the ribs during respiration

Question 9

what is the specific action of erector spinae?

Answer 9

extends the vertebral column

Question 10

what innervates the trapezus muscle?

Answer 10

anterior rami of third and fourth cervical spinal nerves

Question 11

what innervates the intermediate and deep back muscles?

Answer 11

dorsal/posterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 12

At what vertebral level does the spinal cord end?

Answer 12

L1/L2

Question 13

Is the spinal cord part of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 13

No

Question 14

What is the collective name for the layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord?

Answer 14

Meninges

Question 15

What is the name of the opening within each vertebra through which the spinal cord travels?

Answer 15

Vertebral foramen

Question 16

At what level is a lumbar puncture performed? Why?

Answer 16

? Between L2 and L5 – this avoids hitting the spinal cord as it terminates before L2

Question 17

What would be the consequence of complete transection of the spinal cord?

Answer 17

Loss of sensory information and motor ability in all body parts innervated by axons which exit the spinal cord distal to the site of the lesion

Question 18

What is the name of the opening in the skull from which the spinal cord emerges?

Answer 18

Foramen magnum