Cervical region - Atlas/C1 Flashcards
What is the name of the first cervical vertebrae?
atlas
What features are lacking at C1?
vertebral body, pedicles, a spinous process and the intervertebral disc
What muscles attaches to the anterior arch of C1?
longus colli
What ligaments will attach to the anterior arch of C1?
the anterior longitudinal, anterior atlanto-occipital and anterior atlanto-axial ligaments
What is observed on the back of the anterior arch of C1?
the fovea dentis
What is the morphology of the superior articular facet of C1?
they are elliptical, close together in front and often demonstrate an elevation subdividing the facet surface into two separate surfaces
what is the orientation of the superior articular facet of C1?
backward, upward, medial (BUM)
What are the morphological characteristics of the inferior articular facet of C1?
asymmertical, slightly concave or flattened
What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of C1?
backward, medial, downward (BMD)
What muscles attach to the lateral mass of C1?
levator scapula, splenius vervicis and rectus capitis anterior
What attaches to the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch of C1?
rectus capitis posterior minor muscle and ligamentum nuchae
What superior surface modifications of the posterior arch of C1 are present?
groove/sulcus for the vertebral artery and arcuate rim
What attaches to ther arcuate rim of C1?
the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament
Ossification of the free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament results in which atypical bone classification?
accessory bone
What is the earliest age of development where ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament was observed?
about age 7 years old
What may be formed by ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atalanto-occipital ligament?
a partial ponticulus posticus or complete ponticulus posticus
What forms the types of ponticulus posticus?
ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament
What other names may be used to identify a ponticulus posticus?
Kimmerle’s anomaly
What names are given to the opening formed by the ponticulus posticus??
arcuate foramen or retroarticular canal
Ponticulus posticus has observed in what ethnic populations?
all ethnic populations studied thus far
What is the general range of incidence of ponticulus posticus in the populations studied?
1%-41%
What is the gender bias now associated with ponticulus posticus?
female
What joint classification(s) may be observed on the posterior artch of C1?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint
What are the osseous parts of the transverse process of C1?
costal element, posterior tubercle, true transverse process
What osseous parts of the transverse process are absent at C1?
anterior tubercle and costotransverse bar
What muscles attach to the transverse process of C1?
rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, middle scalene, levator scapula, splenius cervicis, obliquus capitis superior, obliquus capitis inferior and intertransversarii muscles
What suboccipital muscles are known to have fascial projections attaching to the spinal dura?
rectus capitis posterior minor, rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis inferior
What are the connections between subocciptal muscles and the spinal dura called?
myodural bridges
What are the lateral bridges of atlas connected to?
the lateral mass and the ytransverse process of atlas
What opening is identified when a complete lateral bridge is formed
the retrotransverse foramen
What are the possible contents of the retrotransverse foramen?
the vertebral artery, a branch from the suboccipital nerve and veins communicating with the venous sinuses of the neck
Which of the ponticles (bridges) of atlas is only observed in humans?
lateral bridges
What is observed in the transverse foramen of C1?
vertebral artery, vertebral venous plexus, postganglionic sympathetic motor nerve fibers
What is the gender variation for measurements of the transverse diameter of C1?
males 78 millimeters and females: 72 millimeters
What is the distance from the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of C1 to the skin for each gender?
a little over 30 millimeters for both male and females
What joint classifications are observed at C1?
fibrous (amphiarthosis) syndesmosis joint, synovial (diarthrosis) ellipsoidal joint, synovial pivot (diarthosis trochoid) joint and synovial plane (diarthosis arthodia) joint
How many synovial joint surfaces are observed at C1?
five
What synovial joint surfaces are observed at C1?
two superior articular facets, two inferior articular facets and the fovea dentis
