Cervical Anatomy 3

Question 1

What happens to the contact area of the facet joint during flexion?

Answer 1

• superior segment glides sup/ant on inf segment
• slides up and tilts slightly forward
• contact area of joint is decreased

Question 2

What happens to the IVF diameter in flexion?

Answer 2

increased

Question 3

clinical implication of decreased contact area with flexion

Answer 3

load is being supported on a smaller surface » increasing joint compression

Question 4

What happens to the contact area of the facet joint during extension?

Answer 4

• superior segment glides inf/post

- contact is maximal and loadbearing

Question 5

What happens to the IVF diameter in extension?

Answer 5

decreases

Question 6

In the forward head position (FHP), the upper cervical spine is in a(n) (flexed/extended) position, while the lower cervical spine is in a(n) (flexed/extended) position.

Answer 6

• upper: extended

- lower: flexed

Question 7

What happens to upper/lower regions with protraction?

Answer 7

• lower/mid flexes

- upper extends

Question 8

During lateral flexion, the ipsilateral facets:

Answer 8

approximate

Question 9

During lateral flexion, the contralateral facets:

Answer 9

distract

Question 10

Describe ALL/PLL in c-spine

Answer 10

ALL: narrow
PLL: wide

Question 11

Why is the PLL wider in c-spine than lumbar?

Answer 11

• PLL doing more in C-spine to keep head upright
• have more flexion in c-spine (stops when chin hits chest) and need more help to “check” it
• SC larger in C-spine, so PLL protects from posterior protrusions

Question 12

Why does the ALL not need to be as strong as the PLL in the C-spine?

Answer 12

• spinous processes limit c-spine extension

- ALL doesn’t need to be as strong

Question 13

B contraction of SCM causes these motions

Answer 13

• flexion

- protraction

Question 14

SCM is mostly responsible for protraction in this position

Answer 14

standing

Question 15

SCM contributes to this postural deviation

Answer 15

• FHP

- will get tight if someone maintains for a long time

Question 16

B contraction of suboccipitals causes this motion

Answer 16

neck extension

Question 17

function of suboccipitals

Answer 17

precise head control, have muscles supporting every plane

Question 18

long cervical extensors

Answer 18

• splenius capitus, cervicis

- levator scapulae

Question 19

What happens to suboccipitals in FHP?

Answer 19

• tight, hypertrophy
• don’t get a lot of circulation when contracted like that
• get trigger points
• more sensitive

Question 20

T/F: C1 is palpable. If so, what part

Answer 20

• true

- can palpate transverse process (find mastoid then drop slightly down)

Question 21

T/F: C2 is palpable. If so, what part?

Answer 21

• true

- spinous process (start at occipus then go straight down. First bump is C2)

Question 22

What is the articular pillar?

Answer 22

• C3-C6
• consecutive sup/inf articular processes
• feels smooth because of ligaments, capsule, etc.
• may feel joint changes on older pts

Question 23

A patient with an inflamed cervical nerve root on the right is likely to have pain with what motions?

Answer 23

• extension
• ipsilateral lateral flexion
• ipsilateral rotation

Question 24

A patient with a large central disc protrusion in the cervical spine is likely to have what symptoms? (LE)

Answer 24

• spasticity

- hyperreflexia

Question 25

A patient with a large central disc protrusion in the cervical spine is likely to have what symptoms? (UE)

Answer 25

• weakness
• atrophy
• fine motor control
• neck stiffness/pain
• upper quarter pain
• widespread numbness
• paresthesia in both arms/hands

Question 26

A patient with a large central disc protrusion in the cervical spine is likely to have what symptoms? (advanced findings)

Answer 26

• paraparesis
• quadriparesis
• bowel/bladder changes

Question 27

A patient with a large central disc protrusion in the cervical spine is likely to have what symptoms? (overall)

Answer 27

• bilateral
• UMN or LMN signs
• hypersensitivity