Cervical Spine Flashcards
Anterior Cervical Osteophytes
Common bony growths on the front of the spine
occasionally will push against the back of the throat and make swallowing difficult
Unilateral Facet Dislocation
the superior facet of the contralateral side moves anterior-superior over the tip of the inferior articular facet of the involved side, resulting in placement in the intervertebral foramen anterior to the inferior facet
Intervertebral foramina
serve as the principal routes of entry and exit for the neurovascular systems to and from the vertebral canal
vulnerable to narrowing with certain motions of ostephyte growth
Cervicothoracic junction
comprises the C7-T1 segment
forms the thoracic outlet through which the neurovascular structures of the upper extremities pass
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
narrower in the upper c spines but wider in the lower c spine than in the thoracic
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
the ligament is broader and considerably thicker in the cervical region than in the thoracic and lumbar regions
torticollis
aka wry neck
etiology varies and often cannot be defined
often associated with injury to SCM on one side
the muscles transformation into a fibrous cord that cannot lengthen
Whiplash syndrome
Hyperextension followed by hyperflexion
dynamic injuries to the spine cause a genuine pathological insult that causes prolonged distress and disability, often lasting for several years of after the accident
SCM
largest muscle in the anterior neck
Motor supply is from the accessory nerve and sensory from C2 and C3
Levator Scapulae
major stabilizer and elevator of the superior angle of the scapula
Clay Shoveler’s Fracture
a type of hyperflexion avulsion injury
fracture of the spinous process at the base, caused by sudden exertions of the muscular attachments and can be caused by flexion injuries
where does a clay shoveler’s fracture most commonly occur?
C7 > C6 > T1
Scalenes
extend obliquely like a ladder and share a critical relationship with the subclavian artery
adaptive shortening of these muscles will affect mobility in the upper c spine
Which muscle is implicated in thoracic outlet syndrome?
the scalenes
Thoracic Outlet syndrome
occurs when the size and shape of the outlet is compressed or narrowed
can happen because of posture, muscle tightness, exercise, trauma, pregnancy, or a cervical rib
Which muscles are tested when doing a C5 nerve root evaluation
Deltoid and biceps
What nerve innervates the deltoid
axillary nerve
which nerve innervates the biceps
musculocutaneous
Which muscles are tested when doing a C6 nerve root evaluation
wrist extension-
extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris
Which nerve innervates extensor carpi radialis longus & brevis, as well as extensor carpi ulnaris
radial
Which muscles are tested when doing a C7 nerve root evaluation
triceps
flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris
extensor digitorum communis, extensor indicis profundus, extensor digiti minimi
What nerve innervates the triceps?
radial
which nerve innervats flexor carpi radialis?
median
which nerve innervates flexor carpi ulnaris?
ulnar nerve
Which nerve innervates extensor digitorum communis, extensor indicis profundus, extensor digiti minimi?
radial
which muscles are tested when doing a C8 nerve root evaluation
flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorus profundus, and the lumbricals
Which muscles are tested when doing a T1 nerve root evaluation
dorsal interossei, palmer interossei
which nerve innervates the dorsal and palmer interossei
ulnar nerve
Jefferson Fracture
aka burst
axial load/vertebral compression
Hangman’s Fracture
fracture of pars interarticularis at C2 and disruption of C2-C3 junction
