Cervical spine Flashcards
function of cervical spine
protect nervous system via the vertebral canal and intervertebral foramen
provide attachment sites for muscles
function of Ligaments and intervertebral discs
prevent hyper flexion and hyper extension of head
function of C1 and C2
allow hyper extension, hyper flexion and lateral flexion
Movement of the cervical vertebrae (neck)
flexion= bend forwards extension =bend backwards rotation= rotate spine Lateral flexion= side to side Circumduction= circular movement
A kyphotic curve
convex curve in the spine
eg thoracic and sacrum
A lordotic curve
concave
eg cervical and lumbar
cervical spine has 3 foramina
2 transverse foramina.
1 vertebral
where is bifid spinous process on the vertebra found
C2 through C6.
Cervical vertebrae are divided into two regions
upper cervical region (C1 and C2)
lower ‘’ (C3 through C7)
Three cervical vertebrae have a unique anatomical structure
C1 the atlas
C2 the axis
C7 the vertebra prominens
function of atlas
supports the globe of the skull.
atlas has no…
body or spinous process.
the atlas consists of
a ring of bone made up of two lateral masses joined at the front and back by the anterior arch and the posterior arch
the foramen magnum transmits
brainstem
meninges
spinal accessory
vertebral arteries
the axis most distinct features
dens
function of dens
allows head and atlas to rotate around it
most distinctive feature of Vertebra prominens (C7)
a long and prominent spinous process
in atlas , Posterior surface of anterior arch articulates…
held in place by…
with dens ,
transverse ligament of atlas
anterior longitundinal ligament
how wide
runs
connect
1 inch
entire length of spine (occipital bone to sacrum)
anterior of verterbral body to annular fibrosis
posterior longitundinal ligament how wide runs lies connects
same as A.L.L
‘’
anterior surface of verterbral canal
posterior ‘’
ligamenta flava
runs
passes between
function
length of verterbral column
each lamina of adjacent verterbrae
resists seperation of lamina
supraspinous ligament
runs
connects
c7 - sacrum
each tip of spinous process to another
Interspinous ligaments
pass
attach
inbetween spinous process
from the base of each spinous process to blend with the supraspinous ligament posteriorly
ligamentum nuchael runs becomes structure function
from c7 - skull (foramen magnum to ext. occipital pro.)
supraspinous ligament at c7
flat sheet
supports head, resists any excessive flexion and gravity
cruciform ligament attaches…
dens to anterior arch of atlas
body of axis to foramen magnum
tectorial membrane
starts
becomes
skull
posterior longitundal ligament
what does the alar ligaments connect
the lateral surfaces of dens to the medial surfaces of occipital condyle
in the atlas each mass articulates with
occipital condyles superiorly
what does apical ligament connect to
dens to foramen magnum
