Cervical Dx Flashcards
Part of skull that contacts atlas
Occipital condyles
Primary motion of OA joint
Flexion/extension
Which part of the atlas contacts the dens?
The anterior arch
AA joint primary motion
Rotation
Accounts for 50% of cervical rotation
Why is the transverse ligament so important and what compromises its integrity?
It prevents damage to the spinal cord if the atlas were to slide anteriorly on the axis.
Rheumatoid arthritis, down’s syndrome, traumatic injuries such as fractures weaken this ligament.
Three parts of the cruciate ligament
Superior and inferior longitudinal band
Transverse ligament of the atlas
Fancy name for the dens
Odontoid process
Ligaments that connect the odontoid process to the occipital condyles
Alar ligaments
C1/C2 have ______ vertebral bodies and ______ motion.
Atypical bodies and atypical motion
Motion restricted by uncinate processes or joints of Luschka.
These u-shaped joints restrict sidebending in the cervical spine
Ligaments that stabilize the C-Spine
anterior longitudinal ligament posterior longitudinal ligament interspinous ligaments supraspinous ligaments alar ligaments ligamentum nuchae Ligamentum Flava
Features of posterior longitudinal ligament
runs from tectorial membrane (occipital axial ligament) at base of skull to each vertebrae and to the sacrum
runs down the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies
is wider near the skull and narrower inferiorly which makes it more susceptible to herniation
Nerves of cervical spine
There are 8 nerves of the cervical spine
Exit above the vertebra they are named after except for C8
Brachial plexus: C5-T1, innervates Upper Middle & Lower trunk and arms? Names after relationships to the axillary artery (lateral, posterior, medial) Becomes 5 main nerves: Musculocutaneous, Axillary, Radial, Median, Ulnar
innervation of trapezius
CN 11 (accessory nerve)
Origin/insertion of levator scapulae
transverse processes of C1-C4
superior angle of scapula
What are the prime muscles for the extension of the head?
Semispinalis capitis and cervicis
Capitis is the round muscle that can be palpated
Scalene muscles
Connect ribs to the lateral tubercles of the cervical spine C3-C5.
Anterior and Middle attach to the first rib
Posterior attaches to 2nd rib
Stabilize the neck, sidebend ipsilaterally, raise the ribs for respiration
Sternocleidomastoid
Flexes and rotates head
Attaches to mastoid process and has two other heads at sternum and clavicle
Innervated by accessory nerve
Contralateral rotation
Normal ranges of motion for C-Spine
Flexion/Extension: 130 degrees
Sidebending: 35 degrees each way
Rotation: 80-90 degrees each way
With active ROM tests, what difference will be observed between acute and chronic problems?
Acute: patient shows little accommodation
Chronic: patient has found comfortable way to complete motion without full ROM
Define radiculopathy
It is a neuropathy (damaged nerve that does not work properly) and is more specific to the root of the nerve
When should you be extra careful with passive motion testing?
History of:
trauma, fall, sports injury, tumor, radiculopathy
Define thrombosis
Localized coagulation or clotting of blood
Vertebral arteries combine to form ______?
Basilar artery
