Cervical spine Flashcards
where is the cervical spine?
between cranium and thoracic vertebrae
what is C1 and C2 known as?
C1 = atlas C2 = axis
what are characteristic features of cervical vertebrae?
triangular vertebral foramen (spinal canal)
bifid spinous process - spinous process split to 2
transverse foramina - holes in transverse processes
what travels through transverse foramina?
vertebral artery, vein, sympathetic nerves
what is unique about atlas? (C1)
no vertebral body - only foramen
no spinous process
has anterior articular facet - articulate with dens of axis (C2)
what attaches to atlas? via what?
atlas has lateral masses either side of vertebral arch - attach transverse ligament
posterior arch: groove for vertebral artery & C1 spinal nerve
how is axis (C2) unique?
dens (odontoid process) extends superiorly from anterior part of vertebra
what is the point of dens (odontoid process) of axis C2? allows for?
articulates with articular facet of atlas - creates medial atlanto-axial joint
allows rotation of head independently of torso
what are the joints unique to cervical spine?
atlanto-axial
atlanto-occipital
what are the joints present throughout vertebral column?
symphysis (cartilaginous joint between vertebral bodies) - IV disc (fibrocartilage)
synovial joint between vertebral arches - superior & inferior articular processes
describe the atlanto-axial joints
2 lateral atlanto-axial joints
medial atlanto-axial joint
describe the 2 lateral atlanto-axial joints
articulation between inferior facets of lateral masses of C1 and superior facets of C2
plane type synovial joints
describe medial atlantoaxial joint
articulation of dens (odontoid process) of C2 with articular facet of C1
pivot synovial joint
describe atlanto-occipital joint
articulation between spine and cranium
between superior facets of lateral masses of atlas (C1) and occipital condyles at base of cranium
function of atlanto-occipital joint?
flexion at head e.g. nodding
condyloid type synovial joint
what are the ligaments unique to cervical spine?
nuchal ligament
transverse ligament of the atlas
ligaments throughout vertebral column?
anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
ligamentum flavum
interspinous ligament
describe nuchal ligament
continuation of supraspinous ligament
attaches to tips of spinous processes from C1-C7
(provides proximal attachment for rhomboids and trapezius)
describe transverse ligament of the atlas (C1)
connects lateral masses of atlas
anchors dens in place
describe anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
run the length of vertebral column
covering vertebral bodies & IV discs
describe ligamentum flavum
connects laminae of adjacent vertebrae
laminae = transverse process to spinous processes
describe interspinous ligament
connects (between, within) spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae
function of the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae?
provide passageway through which vertebral artery, vein and a plexus of sympathetic nerves can pass
which 2 cervical vertebrae are exceptions to the transverse foramina?
C1 (atlas) & C7
how is C7 unique? (vertebral artery, transverse foramina)
vertebral artery runs AROUND (outside) vertebra instead of going through transverse foramen
vertebral vein & nerves still in foramen
how is atlas unique in terms of transverse foramina and vertebral artery?
vertebral artery runs along GROOVE for vertebral artery instead of though transverse foramen
where do the spinal nerves run in the cervical vertebrae?
extend from ABOVE respective vertebra through *intervertebral foramen * (created by joints at the articular processes
C7 is exception
where do the spinal nerves of C7 run?
has spinal nerves above AND below C7 vertebra
below = C8 nerves
8 spinal nerves, 7 vertebra
