C-Spine Flashcards
What makes the c-spine special?
foramina in each transverse process
T/F: Atlas (C1) does not have any body or spinous process
True
T/F: Axis (C2) has the odontoid (dens), and the superior articular facets.
False; It does have the dens and the superior articular facet, but the inferior facet is also present in Axis
What is another term for facet joints?
Apophyseal joints
These facet joints are oriented to how many degrees in what plane(s)?
45 degrees in the sagittal plane and neutral in the coronal plane
Superior facet (of the lower vertebra) is ______and _______to the inferior articular process of the vertebra above.
Superior facet (of the lower vertebra) is ANTERIOR and INFERIOR to the inferior articular process of the vertebra above
What type of discs lie between the vertebrae?
Intervertebral discs
What supporting ligaments run the entire length of the spinal cord?
- Anterior longitudinal ligament
- Posterior longitudinal ligament
- Ligamentum nuchae
What are your Anterolateral Neck Muscles?
Sternocleidomastoid -
Scalenes-
Splenius - capitis & cervicis
What movements does your Sternocleidomastoid have?
Flexion & lateral rotation
What movements do your Scalenes have?
Flexion & lateral rotation
What is the purpose of the Splenius (capitis & cervicis) muscle?
deep to the trapezius muscle & bear most of the responsibility for head extension
What is the purpose of the Trapezius?
Helps extend the head, but mostly works on the shoulder region
What is the cervical sympathetic chain ?
it is made up of various ganglia (superior cervical ganglion, middle cervical ganglion, vertebral ganglion, and stellate ganglion) that are located in the neck region
How many cervical vertebra are there?
7
How many cervical nerve roots are there?
8
Where do the cervical nerve roots exit?
above the cervical vertebra of the named level
The C3 nerve root exits _____ the C3 vertebra
ABOVE
T/F: Nerve root impingement by a herniated cervical disc will affect the exiting nerve root.
T
The C5-6 herniated disc will affect which nerve root?
C6
What does Radiculopathy imply?
impingement on a nerve root;
What does myelopathy imply?
impingement on the spinal cord
Where do the vertebral arteries branch from?
subclavian arteries
Where do the vertebral arteries run?
anterior to C7 and then through the vascular foramen (in the transverse processes of C6 through Cl); the
