Cervical Spine

Question 1

Typical Cervical Vertabrae

Answer 1

C3-C6
**Contain **
* Vertebral body
* Transverse Process
* Spinous Process
* Vertebral Foramen
* Vertebral arch
* Articular Process
Unique Ligaments
* Alar ligaments
* Apical ligament
* Transverse ligament
* Nuchal ligament
Nerves
* Cervical Plexus
* Brachial Plexus

Question 2

Atlas C1

Answer 2

• Does not have spinous process or vertebral body
• Anterior and Posterior Arches
• Lateral Mass - has articular facet on superior and inferior side and single transverse process laterally

Question 3

Axis C2

Answer 3

• Dens - bony projection that articulates with Atlas

Question 4

Atlantooccipital Joint (OA)

Answer 4

Type
* Synovial ellipsoid
* Biaxial
Articular Surfaces
* Occipital Condyles
* Superior Articular facets of Atlas
Ligaments
* Posteror and Anterior Atlantooccipital
Innervation
* C1 Spinal Nerve
Movement
* Principal - Flexion-extension
* Limited lateral flexion

Question 5

Atlantoaxial Joint

Answer 5

Type Synovial Joint, biaxial
Articular Surfaces
* Median atlantoaxial
* dens of axis
* osteoligamentous ring (anterior arch of atlas, transverse ligament of axis)
* Lateral atlantoaxial
* inferior articular surface of lateralmass for atlas
* superior articular facet of axis
Innervation Ventral primary ramus of the 2nd cervical nerve
Movements* Principal: Axial Rotation*
* Limited flexion, extension, lateral flexion

Question 6

Upper Cervical Ligaments

Alar Ligament

Answer 6

Helps to stablize dens and AA joint

Question 7

Upper Cervical Ligaments

Transverse Ligament

Answer 7

Keeps dens from coming into foramen and causing compression

Question 8

Uncovertebral Joints
C3-C7

Answer 8

Type Synovial Plane
Articular Surfaces Uncinate processes C3-C7 and inferior aspect of vertebrae above
Innervation Spinal nerves C3-C7
Function Facilitate flexion/extension and limit lateral flexion