Cervical And Thoracic Spine Flashcards
Is the thoracic spine mobile or immobile?
Immobile
Which cervical vertebrae does not have a bifid spinous process, but is the longest spinous process?
C7
Which vertebrae have no vertebral body or spinous process?
C1 - atlas
What 2 movements does the atlanto-occipital joint account for 50% of the total movement of?
Nodding - flexion and extension.
Shaking head - rotation.
What 2 features prevent horizontal displacement of the atlas on the axis (C1 or C2)?
Dens on C2.
Transverse ligament from tubercle for transverse ligament on atlas.
What is the ligamentum nuchae?
Thickening of the supraspinous ligament from the spinous process of C7, up to the external occipital protruberance.
What are the main functions of the ligamentum nuchae?
Maintains secondary curvature of cervical spine, helps support the head, major site of attachment for neck and trunk muscles.
What is the function of the anterior spinal cord?
Sensory and motor - light touch, pinprick, pain.
What is the function of the posterior spinal cord?
Vibration and proprioception.
What is the function of the central tracts of the spinal cord?
More central - moves arms.
More lateral - moves legs.
What is a neural level?
Last functioning level below an injury.
Do nerve roots exit above or below their vertebrae in the cervical spine?
Above, so there are nerve roots C1-C8.
Cervical spondylosis can lead to radiculopathy due to pressure on NERVE ROOTS. What is this?
Dermatomal sensory symptoms - paraesthesia and pain.
Myotomal motor weakness.
Cervical spondylosis can lead to myelopathy due to pressure on the CORD. What is this?
Global weakness, gait dysfunction, loss of balance, loss of bladder and bowel control.
What is a hangmans fracture?
Hyperextension of the head on the neck. Leads to fracture through the pars interarticularis of C2.
How is a hangman’s fracture seen on an X-ray?
Forward displacement of C1, and body of C2 on C3.
What is a peg fracture?
Caused by a blow to the back of the head. Fracture through dens of C2.
What is a jefferson’s fracture?
Caused by lard axial load eg diving into shallow water. Fracture of both the anterior and posterior arches of C1.
What are the typical symptoms/damage caused by a jefferson’s fracture?
Pain but no neurological symptoms.
May damage arteries at the base of the skull with secondary neurological sequelae eg Horner’s syndrome.
What causes a whiplash injury and what is it?
Hyperextension followed by hyperflexion. C1 slides forwards on C2, compressing spinal cord.
