Cervical Spine Flashcards
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
7
Is the cervical spine mobile or immobile?
Mobile
What are characteristics of cervical vertebrae?
Bifid spinous process (except C7)
Transverse foramen
Draw a typical cervical vertebrae
See notes
What is the function of the transverse foramen?
Transmits the vertebral artery up from the subclavian artery
What direction does the superior articular facet face?
Upward + backward
What direction dos the inferior articular facet face?
Downward + forward
What are the atypical cervical vertebrae?
C1
C2
C7
What is C1 also known as?
The atlas
What is atypical about C1?
No vertebral body
No spinous process
Draw C1
See notes
What does C1 articulate with?
Superiorly - occiput of skull
Inferiorly - C2
What is C2 also known as?
The axis
What is atypical about C2?
Odontoid process (anteriorly) Largest spinous process
Draw C2
See notes
How do C1 and C2 articulate?
Odontoid process sits within C1
Held in place by the transverse ligament
What is atypical about C7?
Longest spinous process
Non bifid spinous process
Large transverse proces
Draw C7
See notes
Where do nerve roots exit the cervical spine?
Above vertebral body
C8 - exits below C7 vertebrae
What is the ligamentum nuchae?
Thickening of the supraspinous ligament that lies in the midline between the bifid spinous processes
What is the nuchal ligament attached to?
External occiptial protuberance
Spinous processes of cervical vertebrae
What is the function of the nuchal ligament?
Maintains secondary curvature of cervical spin e
Helps the cervical spine support the head
Major site of attachment
What are the movements of the cervical spine?
Flexion
Extension
Rotation
Lateral flexion
