Cervical Spine Flashcards
what are the two district cerrvical veerterbrea
The first cervical vertebrae (C1) is known as the atlas.
The second cervical vertebrae (C2) is known as the axis.
what are the distinguishing features of the cervical vertebrea
oracic vertebrae:
Triangular vertebral foramen.
Bifid spinous process – this is where the spinous process splits into two distally.
Transverse foramina – holes in the transverse processes. They give passage to the vertebral artery, vein and sympathetic nerves.
what are the distinguising features of the atlas
The atlas (C1) differs from the other cervical vertebrae in that it has no vertebral body and no spinous process. It also has an articular facet anteriorly, which articulates with the dens of the axis.
The atlas also has lateral masses on either side of the vertebral arch, which provide an attachment for the transverse ligament of the atlas.
The posterior arch has a groove for the vertebral artery and C1 spinal nerve.
what are the distinguising features of the axis
The axis (C2) is easily identifiable due to its dens (odontoid process) which extends superiorly from the anterior portion of the vertebra. The dens articulates with the articular facet of the atlas, in doing so creating the medial atlanto-axial joint. This allows for rotation of the head independently of the torso.
how are the joints of the cervical spine divided
those that are present throughout the vertebral column, and those unique to the cervical spine.
what are the diff joints present throughout the veretebral colomn
There are two different joints present throughout the vertebral column:
Between vertebral bodies – adjacent vertebral bodies are joined by intervertebral discs, made of fibrocartilage. This is a type of cartilaginous joint, known as a symphysis.
Between vertebral arches – formed by the articulation of superior and inferior articular processes from adjacent vertebrae. It is a synovial type joint
what are the joints unique to teh cervical spine
The atlanto-axial and atlanto-occipital joints are unique to the cervical spine. The atlanto-axial joints are formed by the articulation between the atlas and the axis:
There are two lateral atlanto-axial joints which are formed by the articulation between the inferior facets of the lateral masses of C1 and the superior facets of C2. These are plane type synovial joints.
The medial atlanto-axial joint is formed by the articulation of the dens of C2 with the articular facet of C1. This is a pivot type synovial joint.
The atlanto-occipital joints consist of an articulation between the spine and the cranium. They occur between then superior facets of the lateral masses of the atlas and the occipital condyles at the base of the cranium. These are condyloid type synovial joints, and permit flexion at the head i.e. nodding.
what are the ligaments present thoughtout the vertebral column
Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments: Long ligaments that run the length of the vertebral column, covering the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs.
Ligamentum flavum: Connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.
Interspinous ligament: Connects the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.
what are the ligaments unique to the cervical spine
Nuchal ligament: A continuation of the supraspinous ligament. It attaches to the tips of the spinous processes from C1-C7, and also provides the proximal attachment for the rhomboids and trapezius.
Transverse ligament of the atlas: Connects the lateral masses of the atlas, and in doing so anchors the dens in place.
what are the antitomical relationships to the cervical spine
The cervical spine has a close relationship with several neurovascular structures in the neck.
The transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae provide a passageway through which the vertebral artery, vein and a plexus of sympathetic nerves can pass. There are two vertebrae where this is not the case:
C7 – the vertebral artery runs around the vertebra, instead of passing through through the transverse foramen. The vertebral vein and associated nerves are still present in the foramen.
Atlas – the vertebral artery runs along the groove for the vertebral artery instead of through the transverse foramen.
The spinal nerves are intimately related to the cervical vertebrae. They extend from above their respective vertebrae, through the intervertebral foramen created by the joints at the articular processes. Again C7 is an exception. The C7 vertebra has a set of spinal nerves extending from above (C7) and below (C8) the vertebra. Therefore there are eight spinal nerves associated with seven cervical vertebra, which is a common source of confusion.
