Cervical Region Flashcards
What are the regions of the spine and how many vertebrae are in each?
Cervical -> 7
Thoracic -> 12
Lumbar -> 5
Sacral -> 5
Explain the difference between Kyphosis and Lordosis
Kyphosis: Primary, posterior convexity in the Thoracic and Sacral regions
Lordosis: Secondary, anterior convexity in the Cervical and Lumbar regions
What are the typical parts of a vertebra?
Body
2 lamina
2 pedicle
Vertebral Foramen
Intervertebral Foramen
What is a vertebral end plate?
The superior and inferior surfaces are covered with them
made up of discs of hyaline cartilage on top of the vertebral bodies
What are the defining features of a typical cervical vertebra?
-smaller/wider bodies
-concave superior
-convex inferior
-discs are thinner
-Anterior/posterior tubercles on Transverse processes
-Transverse foramen for vertebral arteries
-grooves for anterior rami of spinal nerves
-short, Bifid spinous processes
-Large vertebral foramen
-Uncinate Processes
What cervical vertebra are considered typical?
C3-C6
What vertebra are considered atypical?
C1, C2, C7
What are some characteristics that make up an atypical vertebra?
C1 Atlas:
- No vertebral body or spinous processes
- Superior articular surface attaches to Occipital condyles of skull
- widest
- posterior arch has groove for vertebral artery
C2 Axis:
- strongest
- large superior facets connecting to C1
- large bifid spinous process
- Dens (odontoid process): pivot for C1 and head to rotate (located anterior to spinal cord)
C7 Vertebra Prominens:
- no transverse foramen
- longest spinous process
Describe the parts of the intervertebral discs
1) Anulus Fibrosus
- Ring, outer circumference of discs
- inserts at cartilage end plate
- concentric fibrocartilage layers that alternate each layer @ 60 degrees that restricts rotation
- thinner posteriorly, thicker anteriorly
-only outer 1/3 is vascularized and innervated
2) Nucleus Pulposus
- gelatinous core
- acts as semifluid fulcrum during movement
- positioned b/w center & posterior aspect of disc (doesn’t sit directly in the center)
- Avascular, aneural but gets its nutrients from vertebral body and anulus periphery via diffusion
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)
Runs on anterior surface of vertebral bodies
- prevents hyperextension
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)
Runs on posterior side of vertebral bodies BUT connects more to discs
- resists hyperflexion weakly BUT mainly prevents/redirects posterior disc herniations
Lots of nocireceptors
Ligamentum Flavum
Lamina to lamina
- yellow in color
- thin -> thick as moving down the vertebral column
- assists return from flexion
Supraspinous Ligament
connects tips of spinous processes
Interspinous Ligament
between spinous processes
Intertransverse Ligament
between transverse process of each vertebrae
Nuchal Ligament
Continuation of supraspinous ligaments (C6 to occiput)
-back of the neck
-thick fibroelastic tissue
Transverse Ligament
Holds Dens against atlas
- prevents posterior displacement of dens
-prevents anterior displacement of atlas pressing posterior arch onto spinal cord
Alar Ligament
sides of dens to Foramen Magnum
- checks ligaments to limit rotation
What joints are considered Craniovertebral joints?
Atlanto-Occipital (A-O) (C0-C1)
Atlanto-Axial (A-A) (C1-C2)
Describe the Atlanto-Occipital joint
- atlas & occipital condyles
- capital flexion/extension (nodding head)
- capital side bend
- synovial joint with a thin loose capsule
Describe the Atlanto-Axial joint
- 2 lateral facets connect to C1 which are gliding synovial joints
- 1 median joint which dens connects to atlas (pivot joint)
- rotation of the cranium and C1 rotate on C2 as a unit
What happens if the transverse ligament breaks?
The dens could move backward onto the spinal cord
Atlas could move forward which would pull the posterior arch against the spinal cord
Both of these could result in quadriplegia or death
What happens if the Alar ligament breaks?
Excessive rotation
- 30% more movement to contralateral side
What structures of the spine help guide its movements in each region?
- long and short ligaments that “check” or restrict certain movements
- disc size and shape
- facet orientation
- vertebral body shape (uncinate processes for cervical vertebrae)
- long shaped spinous processes for thoracic vertebrae
Why does the cervical spine have more movement than the rest of the spine?
- thin discs compared to lumbar vertebral discs
- loose facet capsules
- less surrounding tissue bulk
- nucleus serves as axis for movement
What are the two muscles categories of the back and what are their sub-categories?
Extrinsic (starts in a region but doesn’t stop in the same region)
- Superficial
- Intermediate
Intrinsic (starts and stops in the same region)
- Superficial
- Intermediate
- Deep
- all intrinsic muscle groups are enclosed by deep fascia (Thoracolumbar)
What muscles of the back are considered extrinsic and which sub-category do they belong in?
Superficial
- Trapezius
- Latissimus Dorsi
- Levator Scapulae
- Rhomboids
Intermediate
- Serratus Posterior (superior/inferior)
What muscles of the back are considered intrinsic and which sub-category do they belong in?
Superficial
- Splenius (cervicis & capitis)
Intermediate
- Erector Spinae
-> Illiocostalis
-> Longissimus
-> Spinalis
Deep (all between transverse & spinous processes)
- Transversospinalis
-> semispinalis
-> multifidus
-> rotatores
What is a spinal cord segment and how is it named?
- the portion of the spinal cord that gives rise to rootlets & roots that form bilateral pairs of spinal nerves
- named the same as spinal nerves coming from it
Why are there 8 cervical spinal nerves but only 7 cervical spine?
- C1 exits ABOVE the cervical vertebra and the rest of the vertebra follow the same pattern
- T1 switches to run below the vertebra but there is a space missing between C7 and T1 so another spinal nerve comes out creating a C8
What do the Posterior (dorsal) rami of the spinal nerves innervate?
- the post-vertebral muscles and the skin of the back
What do the Anterior (ventral) rami of the spinal nerves innervate?
- sensory and motor fibers of most of the muscles and joints of the lateral and ventral body
What do the Recurrent Meningeal Nerves innervate?
Outside nerves
- Anterolateral vertebral bodies/discs
- Periosteum
- ALL
Inside nerves
- Periosteum (posterior vertebral bodies, pedicles, laminae)
- Ligamentum Flavum
- Posterior anulus
- PLL
- Dura mater
- Blood vessels
Describe the superficial fascia of the neck
- lies between the dermis and investing layer of deep fascia
- cutaneous nerves, blood, lymphatics, lymph nodes, fat, and platysma