C SPINE ANATOMY Flashcards
Label the anatomy 1-9
1 VERTEBRAL BODY T1
2 SPINOUS PROCESS C7
3 LAMINA OF C5
4 INFERIOR ARTICULAR PROCESS OF C4
5 SUPERIOR ARTICULAR PROCESS OF C5
6 SPINOUS PROCESS OF C2
7 ODONTOID PEG
8ANTERIOR ARCH OF C1
9 TRACHEA
What are the 5 lines of assessment when looking at the C Spine and describe where they are meant to lie ?
1 The anterior vertebral body line - The anterior margins of the vertebral bodies.
2 Posterior vertebral body line (POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAGMENT) - The posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
3 Spinolaminar line. - This should run parallel to the posterior vertebral body line.
4 The spinous process line - This runs at the posterior aspect of the spinous processes. This is useful in assessing interspinous distance and spinous process injury.
5 The Harris ring. This is located at C2. Useful when looking at low odontoid fractures.
What is prevertebral soft tissue and what does an increase in size or bulge indicate ?
This is the soft tissue anterior to the vertebral bodies.
Any disruption can indicate haemorrhage and in turn an important injury.
Name 4 ligaments supporting the C spine ?
1Anterior longitudinal ligament.
2Posterior longitudinal ligament.
3Supraspinous ligament.
4 Ligamentum flavum.
What are C1 and C2 also known as ?
C1 - ATLAS
C2 - AXIS
where is the body of the dens located ?
On the C2 VERTEBRAE.
C1 HAS TWO LATERAL MASSES WHICH SIT JUST UNDER THE SKULL.
What two ligaments attach themselves to the base of the skull ?
apical ligament which is at the top of the odontoid process/ dens.
Alar ligaments which attach laterally of the base of the skull.
Where is the transverse ligament located and what is it’s role ?
Posteriorly around the dens. It holds the dens up against the anterior facet of C1. Crucial for the stability of the dens position in the foremen of C1.
What happens when the transverse ligament becomes lax ?
It allows the dens to migrate posteriorly in to the space occupied by the chord.
What is the Harris ring ?
A composite shadow to show a fracture of the body of C2.
What measurement should the pre- dental space be ?
No more than 3mm in an adult and 5 mm in a pead.
