Cervical spine

Question 1

where is the cervical spine?

Answer 1

between cranium and thoracic vertebrae

Question 2

what is C1 and C2 known as?

Answer 2

C1 = atlas
C2 = axis

Question 3

what are characteristic features of cervical vertebrae?

Answer 3

triangular vertebral foramen (spinal canal)
bifid spinous process - spinous process split to 2
transverse foramina - holes in transverse processes

Question 4

what travels through transverse foramina?

Answer 4

vertebral artery, vein, sympathetic nerves

Question 5

what is unique about atlas? (C1)

Answer 5

no vertebral body - only foramen
no spinous process
has anterior articular facet - articulate with dens of axis (C2)

Question 6

what attaches to atlas? via what?

Answer 6

atlas has lateral masses either side of vertebral arch - attach transverse ligament

posterior arch: groove for vertebral artery & C1 spinal nerve

Question 7

how is axis (C2) unique?

Answer 7

dens (odontoid process) extends superiorly from anterior part of vertebra

Question 8

what is the point of dens (odontoid process) of axis C2? allows for?

Answer 8

articulates with articular facet of atlas - creates medial atlanto-axial joint
allows rotation of head independently of torso

Question 9

what are the joints unique to cervical spine?

Answer 9

atlanto-axial

atlanto-occipital

Question 10

what are the joints present throughout vertebral column?

Answer 10

symphysis (cartilaginous joint between vertebral bodies) - IV disc (fibrocartilage)
synovial joint between vertebral arches - superior & inferior articular processes

Question 11

describe the atlanto-axial joints

Answer 11

2 lateral atlanto-axial joints

medial atlanto-axial joint

Question 12

describe the 2 lateral atlanto-axial joints

Answer 12

articulation between inferior facets of lateral masses of C1 and superior facets of C2
plane type synovial joints

Question 13

describe medial atlantoaxial joint

Answer 13

articulation of dens (odontoid process) of C2 with articular facet of C1
pivot synovial joint

Question 14

describe atlanto-occipital joint

Answer 14

articulation between spine and cranium

between superior facets of lateral masses of atlas (C1) and occipital condyles at base of cranium

Question 15

function of atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 15

flexion at head e.g. nodding

condyloid type synovial joint

Question 16

what are the ligaments unique to cervical spine?

Answer 16

nuchal ligament

transverse ligament of the atlas

Question 17

ligaments throughout vertebral column?

Answer 17

anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
ligamentum flavum
interspinous ligament

Question 18

describe nuchal ligament

Answer 18

continuation of supraspinous ligament
attaches to tips of spinous processes from C1-C7
(provides proximal attachment for rhomboids and trapezius)

Question 19

describe transverse ligament of the atlas (C1)

Answer 19

connects lateral masses of atlas

anchors dens in place

Question 20

describe anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

Answer 20

run the length of vertebral column

covering vertebral bodies & IV discs

Question 21

describe ligamentum flavum

Answer 21

connects laminae of adjacent vertebrae

laminae = transverse process to spinous processes

Question 22

describe interspinous ligament

Answer 22

connects (between, within) spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae

Question 23

function of the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 23

provide passageway through which vertebral artery, vein and a plexus of sympathetic nerves can pass

Question 24

which 2 cervical vertebrae are exceptions to the transverse foramina?

Answer 24

C1 (atlas) & C7

Question 25

how is C7 unique? (vertebral artery, transverse foramina)

Answer 25

vertebral artery runs AROUND (outside) vertebra instead of going through transverse foramen
vertebral vein & nerves still in foramen

Question 26

how is atlas unique in terms of transverse foramina and vertebral artery?

Answer 26

vertebral artery runs along GROOVE for vertebral artery instead of though transverse foramen

Question 27

where do the spinal nerves run in the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 27

extend from ABOVE respective vertebra through *intervertebral foramen * (created by joints at the articular processes
C7 is exception

Question 28

where do the spinal nerves of C7 run?

Answer 28

has spinal nerves above AND below C7 vertebra
below = C8 nerves
8 spinal nerves, 7 vertebra