Cervical biomechanics

Question 1

Cervical spine is the most mobile region for

Answer 1

vision, hearing, smell, equilibrium

Question 2

normal lordosis of the neck

Answer 2

30- 35° extension

Question 3

Upper cervical spine motion

Answer 3

very little flexion extension

Question 4

Atlanto axial joint

Answer 4

large amount of rotation

Question 5

Greatest segmental motion and most common sites of DJD

Answer 5

C4 5
C5 6
C6 7

Question 6

type one mechanics

Answer 6

rotation and sidebend occurring opposite directions
Upper cervical spine

Question 7

type two mechanics

Answer 7

Rotation side bent occurred to the same side
Lower cervical spine

Question 8

type three mechanics

Answer 8

Motion in one plane reduces motion and all the remaining planes

Fully flex the lower cervical spine, then rotate the head. This allows assessment of primarily C1 C2 rotation.

Question 9

OA joint surfaces

Answer 9

occiput has convex occipital condyles
Atlas has concave articular facets

Question 10

OA arthrokinematics flexion and extension

Answer 10

Flexion- occipital condyles role anterior and glide posterior

Extension- occipital condyles role posterior and glide anterior

Question 11

AA joint movment

Answer 11

Atlas and transverse ligament twist around the dens

shaking or no joint

full rotation provides stretch to vertebral arteries

Limits to movement, alar ligaments apophyseal joint, tension, muscles

Question 12

Upper cervical ligaments

Answer 12

Alar
Transverse
Tectorial membrane

Question 13

alar ligament

Answer 13

stabilizes occiput- atlas with rotation

Question 14

transverse ligament

Answer 14

Prevents anterior migration of C1 on C2
Lhermittes sign

Question 15

tectorial membrane

Answer 15

Proximal extension of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 16

The vertebral artery enters intervertebral foramen at

Answer 16

C6
And travel superiorly
And angles at C2 which is accentuated by cervical rotation

Question 17

Internal carotid artery

Answer 17

less affected by movement but can still influence head and neck symptoms

Question 18

lower cervical spine extension

Answer 18

Inferior articular facet of the superior vertebrae slides on inferior superior articular facet

maximizes the contact of the facets
Close Packed position

Question 19

lower cervical spine flexion

Answer 19

The inferior articular facet of the superior vertebrae slides anterior and superior

opening
Maximizes volume in space of the vertebral canal for the spinal cord

Question 20

protraction

Answer 20

Flexes the lower cervical
Extends the upper cervical spine

Question 21

Retraction

Answer 21

flexion of the upper cervical spine
Extension of the lower cervical spine

Question 22

Protraction causes a strain in

Answer 22

trapezius
cervical extensors

and a weakness in the deep cervical flexors

Question 23

rotation of the lower cervical (R)

Answer 23

Right facets slide posterior and inferiorly closing
left facets slide anterior and superior opening

Question 24

lateral flexion of the lower cervical R

Answer 24

closing of the ipsilateral side posterior, inferior gliding
Opening on the contralateral side superior anterior gliding

Question 25

Muscles shortened with bad posture

Answer 25

upper cervical muscles
Sub occipital triangle
Upper traps
Splenius capitis cervicis
semispinalis cervicis
SCM
pec
lat
scalenes

Question 26

weak muscles due to posture

Answer 26

deep neck flexors stabilizers
longus capitis
longus coli
thoracic extendors