cervical spine Flashcards
what is the function of the cervical spine?
mobility, support and protects the spinal canal and neural structures
How many vertebrae in the cervical spine?
7
How many intervertebral discs and exiting nerve roots are there?
6 intervertebral discs
8 pairs of exiting nerve roots
what is typical vertebrae and atypical vertebrae
a-typical is atlas and axis (C1,2,7) typical is (C3-C6)
Describe the typical vertebrae
C3-C6, transverse process, 2 transverse foreman, bifid spinous process, 2 lamina, pedicle, vertebral body, anterior and posterior tubercles of transverse process,, vertebral foreman, dens (odontoid peg), superior articular fact and process
Describe atlas structure and compare to a normal vertebrae
Has no spinous process, lamina, pedicle and vertebral body
atlas- ring shaped, 2 lateral masses, superior articular facet for occipital condyle, anterior facet for dens, posterior arch, transverse foreman and transverse process
Describe axis
odontoid peg 2 lateral articular facets transverse process and foreman x2 lamina x2 bifid spinous process
which vertebrae is known as vertebrae prominens?
C7
Describe are the articulations of the Atlanto-occipital joint and the type of joint it is?
superior articular facets of the atlas is concave and articulates with the convex occipital condyles of cranium
synovial condyloid joint
Describe the median Atlanto-axial joint with articulation and type
synovial pivot joint
convex rectangular facet in front of dens
concave facet inner aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas
Describe lateral atlanto-axial joint with articulation and type
synovial plane joint
2 concave facets of the atlas with 2 convex facets of the axis
Describe the transverse ligament, location, articulation, and function
divides the ring of atlas into 2 compartments
anterior= dens
posterior=spinal cord
it hold and dens into close approximation with the atlas which prevents anterior displacement of atlas on axis
thin layer of articular cartilage on anterior surface for when it articulates with dens
Describe and alar ligament, attachment, when relaxed/ taut function and limits
attachment is from the lateral side of the den either side to the medial aspect of the occipital
limits flexion, rotation and side flexion
relaxed in extension
prevents distraction of of C1 on C2
What are the attachments of the apical ligament
from the apex of the dens to the anterior edge of the foreman magnum
What are the attachments of ligamentum nuchae
continuation of the supraspinous ligament and extends from the spinous process of C7 to the occipital protuberence and the deep attachment is with the posterior tubercle of the atlas
what is the attachment for the anterior longitudinal ligament, where is it found and the limit
found in the lower cervical region
superior attachment to the anterior tubercle of the atlas anterior aspect of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc and attaches to the upper sacrum
limit, extension
what is the attachment of the posterior longitudinal ligament, where is it found and the limit
found in the vertebral canal
superior attachment is C2 to the body of the sacrum S1, also attaches to the intervertebral discs and adjacent margins of the vertebral bodies in the vertebral canal
describe ligamentum flavum, limit and its attachments
limits flexion
attachment is from the lamina of the adjacent vertebrae from C2 to S1
What is the attachment of the inter-transverse ligament
attachment is between each transverse process and joins the transverse process of the adjacent vertebrae
what is the attachment of interspinous ligament limit and function
limits flexion so the spinous process of the vertebral column does not separate
attachment is thin sheets connecting the spinous processes (from roots to apexes) from C1-S1 one segment at a time.
what is the anterior atlanto-occipital ligament a continuation of?
anterior longitudinal ligament
what is the posterior atlanto occipital a continuation of?
ligamentum flavum
what muscles assist in cervical flexion, note degrees
sternocleidomastoid, longus capitis, scalenes anterior
80 degrees
what muscles assist in cervical extension, note degrees
levator scapulae, upper fibres of trapezius and erector spinae
70 degrees
what muscles assist in cervical side flexion, note degrees
sternocleidomastoid, scalenes mid c3-c8, erector spinae, leveator scapulae, upper fibres of trapezius and
40 degrees
what muscles assist in cervical rotation, note degrees
anterior and posterior scalene and sternocleidomastoid
90 degrees
what muscles assist in protraction and retraction, note degrees
protraction= lower cervical flexors upper cervical extensors retraction= lower cervical extensors upper cervical flexors
which muscle is innovated by the accessory nerve
upper fibres of the trapezius
which muscle is innovated by the dorsal scapular nerve
levator scapulae
which muscle is innovated by the 11th cranial nerve
sternocleidomastoid
which muscle is innovated by the C4-C6
anterior scalene
which muscle is innovated by the C3-C8
mid scalene
which muscle is innovated by the C6-C8
posterior scalene
which muscle is innovated by the spinal nerve 3-4
levator scapulae