Cervical Spine Flashcards
How Many vertebrae are there in the cervical spine
7
Describe the curve of the cervical spine
The cervical spine is a lordosis and is a secondary curve developed later in life
Describe the structure of the C1 Vertebrae
- Atlas
- No vertebral Body
- No spinous process
- Support the weight of the skull through 2 facets
- The two superior facets articulate with the skull forming the atlanto occipital joint.
Describe the atlanto- occipital joint
- Joint between the superior articulate facet of C1 with the base of the skull.
- flexion and extension
- a synovial elliposoid joint biaxial. the two joints work togetehr so mechanically act as one joint to do the nodding movement
- Supported by the posterior and anterior atlantooccipital ligament
Describe C2
- Axis
- small vertebral body with an upwards projection called the dens
- forms the atlanto axial joint
This joint allows for 1/3 of the cervical rotation
Atlanto- Axial joint
- Complex between C1 and C2
- The complex has parts that are pivots and some that are gliding. all classed as synovial.
- Supported by a series of ligaments
- alloes for the axial rotation doesnt allow for flexion and extension as much
Descrieb the structure of C2-C6
- All have a bifid spinous process which allow for muscle attachments bilaterally
- All have a transverse foramen which allows the nerves to leave
C7 Structure
- Has a long spinous process and is not bifid.
What are the Joints of the spine?
Intervertebral symphysis joints
Synovial facet joints
What movements occur at the cervical spine?
Upper cervical spine at the atlanto-occipital joint you get nodding (flex and ext)
Lower cervical spine you get
- flex/ext
- side flexion
At the atlanto-axial joint you get rotation contributing 1/3 of the rotation at the cervical spine
What ligaments support the cervical spine?
- Anterior longitudinal - anterior body
- Posterior Longitudinal - posterior body
- Ligamentum flavum - between the lamellae
- Anterior and posterior atlantooccipital ligaments (support atalnto occipital)
- Apical and alar ligament support the atlanto- axial ligament
Sternocleidomastoid (A)
M - Two headed, Thick and strap like runs superiorly
O - Manubrium and medial portion of the clavicle
I - Mastoid process of the temporal bone and the nuchal line
N - Accesory nerve
A - Contralateral cervical rotation and flexion.
Bilateral - head neck extension, neck flexion, elevation of clavicle and manubrium.
Levator Scapulae (B)
M - Long slender muscle in the posterior neck
O - C1 -C4 Transverse processes
I - Superior Medial border of scapula
A -
Scap - draws scap medially and superiorly
Cervical - Lateral flexion and extension of neck
Scalenes (B)
M - Three neck muscles found on each side of the neck.
O - The three heads originating along the transverse processes of the vertebrae C2-C7
I - Along ribs 1 and 2
A - Flexion, lateral flexion and rotation of the neck.
What muscles contribute to the Flexion of the cervical spine?
Longus colli
Longus capitas
Sternomastoid
Which muscles contribute to cervical Side flexion?
Scalenes
Sternomastoid
Levator scapula
Trapezius
What muscles contribute to cervical Extension?
Levator scapula
Trapezius
Erector spinae
Semispinalis capitis
Semispinalis Cervicis
What muscles contribute to cervical rotation?
Sternomastoid
Semispinalis
Splenius
