Cervical Spine

Question 1

Atlas: C1

Answer 1

Forms atlanto occipital joint (OA).
-Flexion
-lacks spinous process
-Transverse Ligament attaches here

Question 2

Axis: C2

Answer 2

-Forms atlantoaxial joint (AA).
-Rotation (60%)
-Possesses dens/odontoid process
-Links CV to C-spine

Question 3

Cervical vertebrae

Answer 3

-Seven, bifid spinous process, flat facet joints.
-C3-C7 have uncinate process limitations SB

Question 4

Upper Cervical Spine Biomechanics: OA Joint

Answer 4

C0-C1
-Lateral flexion: with contralateral rotation coupling (mostly at (CO-C1)
-lots of congruency due to lack of disc

OA joint: convex (C0) on concave (C1) (opposite)
-no disk
-15-25 degrees
-Flexion: rolls ant, slides pos (5 deg)
-Extension: rolls pos, slides ant (10 deg)
-LSB: (5 deg)

Question 5

Lower Cervical Spine

Answer 5

(C2/3-C7/T1)
-uncinate process limit lat flexion
-more mobility
-bifids til C6

Flexion: ant tilt and slide coupled with upward shift of facets (35-70 deg)

Extension: pos tilt and slide coupled with downward shift of facets (55-60 deg)

Lateral Flexion: coupled with ipsilateral rotation (15-40 deg)
-downward slide of ipsilateral facet joints
-upward slide of contralateral facet joints

Rotation: coupled with ipsilateral lateral rotation (30-45 deg)

Question 6

Upper Cervical Spine Biomechanics: AA Joint

Answer 6

C1-C2
-Lateral flexion: with contralateral rotation coupling
-Convex on Convex
-Flexion: 5deg
-Extension: 10deg
Rotation: 35-45 deg

AA Joint: Biconvex
-rotation
-Coupled with contralateral lat flexion
-contralateral move of C2 SP
-60% of rotation
-Biconvex (flx lower cerv, ext upp ext)

Question 7

Trapezius Muscle Length

Answer 7

-only check if motion IS limited
must check length if you prescribe stretch later

1. Pt supine
2. Flex head > contra SB > ipsi rotation
3. PT depresses ipsi shoulder

Normal: 45deg of rot w/ soft end range
Decreased:<45 or hard end range

Question 8

Levator Muscle Length

Answer 8

-only check if motion IS limited
must check length if you prescribe stretch later

1. Pt supine
2. Flex head > contra SB and ipsi rotation
3. PT depresses ipsi shoulder

Normal: 45deg of rot w/ soft end range
Decreased:<45 or hard end range or TTP

Question 9

Scalenes Muscle Length

Answer 9

-only check if motion ISN’T limited
must check length if you prescribe stretch later

1. Pt supine w/ head off plinth
2. Extend and contra SB while stabilizing ipsi
3. PT stabilizes ipsi shoulder

Normal: 45deg of SB
Decreased:<45 of SB