Cervical Spinal Anatomy

Question 1

Cervical Spine

Answer 1

7 vertebrae,8 pairs of nerves

Smaller than rest of spine, wider side to side

Question 2

Foramen transverarium

Answer 2

Opening in each transverse process where arteries and veins run

Question 3

Atlas

Answer 3

C1
connects to skull (occiput) and spine
Tick anterior arch, thin posterior
No disk

Question 4

Axis

Answer 4

C2, dens(odontoid Process) projects upward from body and articulates with anterior arch of atlas
Let’s head turn side to side
Anchored to occipital bone by apical and Alan ligaments

Question 5

Cervical Vertabrea

Answer 5

Short, bifold spinous processes

Each transverse process has foramen transverarium

Question 6

Vertebral Prominence

Answer 6

C7’s long, non bifid spinous process
Longest in 70% of people
Ligamentum nuchae inserts at C7 and is positioned at midline that separates muscles of the neck

Question 7

Anklyloring Syondylitis

Answer 7

Chronic disease that inflames joints between vert

Question 8

Cervical Spondylosis

Answer 8

Growth of bone in neck from degeneration, stiffens neck and restricts rotation

Question 9

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)

Answer 9

Bone begins to ossify (fill in) the anterior lateral aspects of four vertebrae
Effects 15% of women and 25% of men

Question 10

Range of mobility

Answer 10

80-90 degrees flexion, 70 degrees extension, 20-45 degrees lateral flexion, and up to 90 degrees rotation

Question 11

Odontoid Process

Answer 11

Dens, connects to head as well as atlas

3 ligaments,(transverse, alar, apical) hold dens in place where atlas can rotate