Cervical Spine

Question 1

How Many vertebrae are there in the cervical spine

Answer 1

7

Question 2

Describe the curve of the cervical spine

Answer 2

The cervical spine is a lordosis and is a secondary curve developed later in life

Question 3

Describe the structure of the C1 Vertebrae

Answer 3

• 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.

Question 4

Describe the atlanto- occipital joint

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Describe C2

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Atlanto- Axial joint

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Descrieb the structure of C2-C6

Answer 7

• All have a bifid spinous process which allow for muscle attachments bilaterally
• All have a transverse foramen which allows the nerves to leave

Question 8

C7 Structure

Answer 8

• Has a long spinous process and is not bifid.

Question 9

What are the Joints of the spine?

Answer 9

Intervertebral symphysis joints
Synovial facet joints

Question 10

What movements occur at the cervical spine?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What ligaments support the cervical spine?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

Sternocleidomastoid (A)

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Levator Scapulae (B)

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Scalenes (B)

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

What muscles contribute to the Flexion of the cervical spine?

Answer 15

Longus colli
Longus capitas
Sternomastoid

Question 16

Which muscles contribute to cervical Side flexion?

Answer 16

Scalenes
Sternomastoid
Levator scapula
Trapezius

Question 17

What muscles contribute to cervical Extension?

Answer 17

Levator scapula
Trapezius
Erector spinae
Semispinalis capitis
Semispinalis Cervicis

Question 18

What muscles contribute to cervical rotation?

Answer 18

Sternomastoid
Semispinalis
Splenius