Bones and Joints of the Neck Flashcards
What is the curvature of the cervical spine?
laudosis
What are the features of typical cervical vertebrae?
bifid spinous process, transverse mass of anterior and posterior tubercles, transverse foramen, uncinate processes on the body, articular surfaces at 45 degrees
What features make C7 an atypical vertebrae?
it is bigger and has a much longer spinous process and lacks the uncinate processes
What are the lateral vertebral muscles and where do they attach?
scalenus anterior, medius and posterior - attach to the transverse mass of the cervical spine
What lies between scalenus anterior and medius?
the subclavian artery and the brachial plexus
What lies on scalenus anterior?
the phrenic nerve
What is a cranial shift in the spinal cord and what are the symptoms?
elongation of the anterior process of C7 - results in entrapment of C8 and T1 nerves which results in problems with movements of the hand and sensory loss over C8 and T1 dermatomes
What are the features of the atlas?
no body, anterior and posterior arches, facet for the dens, occipital condyles, longest transverse processes
What are the features of the axis?
dens with articular surfaces, strong spinous process
What is different about the C1 and C2 nerve roots?
they pass behind the facet joints instead of infront
Which anterior tubercle may compress the common carotid?
C6
At which level does the common carotid bifurcate?
C4
Which transverse foraminae transmit the vertebral arteries?
C1-6
What are the atlanto-occipital joints?
2 lateral synovial joints between the occipital condyles and the atlas
What movement occurs at the atlanto-occipital joint?
nodding
What are the atlanto-axial joints?
3 synovial joints - 2 lateral facets and one between the dens and the anterior arch
What movement occurs at the atlanto-axial joints?
rotation
What is the ligamentum nuchae?
the ligament between the external occipital protruberance and the spinous process of C7 - extension of the supraspinous ligament
What is the posterior-atlanto occipital membrane?
connects the posterior border of the foramen magnum to the posterior arch of the atlas
What is the membrana tectoria?
a ligament between the body of the axis and the occipital bone - extension of the posterior longitudinal ligament
What is the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane?
a ligament between the anterior arch of the atlas and the occipital bone - extension of the anterior longitudinal ligament
What is the transverse ligament?
a ligament to prevent posterior translation of the dens
What are the alar ligaments?
ligaments from the dens to the skull
What is Hangman’s fracture?
bilateral pedicle fracture of C2 due to extension - C2 slips forward on C3
What is Jefferson’s fracture?
bilateral fracture of anterior arch of C1 - due to fall onto vertex of skull
