Cervical Spine Flashcards
What joints make up the cervical spine
Atlanto-occipital joint
Atlanto-axial joint complex
Intracervical apophyseal joint (C2-C7)
What are the convex-concave components of the atlanto-occipital joint
concave atlas
convex occiput
Describe atlas
ring shaped
no body
no spinous processes
concave facet
O-A joint arthrokinematics
extension: occciptal ocndyles glide anteriorly
flexion: occiput glides posteriorly
How many degrees of freedom does the AO joint have
2 DF. mostly flex/extend. slight lateral flexion
What ligaments limit side to side movement
alar ligaments
What are the components of the Atlanto-Axial joint
C1 & C2
dens of C2
2 apophyseal joints (inferior facet atlas & sup facet of axis)
pivot joint
What is the function of the transverse ligament
houses dens, keeps dens from protruding into spinal cord,
stabilize odontoid process
crosses atlas
(cruciate ligament)
Alar ligament
dens to occiput
checks side to side movement
Ligamentum nuchae
takes the place of supraspinous ligament
aka nuchal ligament
more posterior
resists flexion
Ligamentum flavum
connects adjacent laminae
resists flexion
What are the mobile segments of C3-C7 joints
uncovertebral joint
facet joints
Uncovertebral joints
vonLuschka
holds disc in place, support disc
Facet joint
sit in both transverse & frontal plane
45 deg up from transverse
Coupled motion
rotation & sidebending occur on the same side