Cervical Spine

Question 1

What is the function of the cervical spine?

Answer 1

Mobility, support and protection of the spinal canal and neural structures

Question 2

How many vertebrae in cervical?

Answer 2

7

Question 3

How many IV discs and pairs of exiting nerve roots?

Answer 3

6, 8

Question 4

What is the average degrees of lordosis in the cervical and which two vertebrae does this occur at most?

Answer 4

40 degrees, C1 and 2

Question 5

Describe typical cervical vertebrae

Answer 5

C3-6, transverse process, transverse foramen, anterior and posterior tubercles (either side of transverse foramen), pedicle (between body and laminate), lamina, birdie spinous process, vertebral foramen

Question 6

Describe atlas

Answer 6

C1, rig shaped, 2 lateral masses, biconcave superior articular surface, anterior arch (articular facet for odontoid/dens), posterior arch/tubercle
, inferior articular surface, transverse foramen x2, transverse processes x2

Question 7

Describe axis

Answer 7

C2, odontoid peg (dens), 2 lateral articular facets, lamina (2 narrow), bifid spinous process

Question 8

Which vertebra is known as vertebra prominens?

Answer 8

C7

Question 9

Describe the articulations of the Atlanta-occipital joint

Answer 9

Occipital condyles are convex, superior articular facet of the atlas is concave

Question 10

Describe the median Atlantic-axial joint, note vertebrae, type and articulations

Answer 10

Synovial pivot at C1-2, articulations are convex rectangular facet on the front of dens, concave inner aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas, posterior surface of the dens articulates with the transverse ligament

Question 11

Describe the lateral Atlantic-axial joint, note vertebrae, type and articulations

Answer 11

Synovial plane at C1-2, articulations are two combine facets of the atlas with two convex facets of axis

Question 12

Describe the transverse ligament, note location, articulation and cartilage and function

Answer 12

Divides the ring of the atlas into two compartments (anterior = dens, posterior = spinal cord), thin layer of articular cartilage on its anterior surface for articulation with dens, holds dens and atlas in close approximation (preventing anterior displacement of atlas on axis)

Question 13

Describe the alar ligament, note attachment, when relaxed/taut, function and what limits

Answer 13

Attaches either side of dens and to the medial aspect of the occiput, relaxed in extension, prevents distraction of C1 on C2, limits flexion, rotation and side flexion

Question 14

Note the attachments for the apical ligament

Answer 14

Apex of dens to the anterior edge of the foramen magnum

Question 15

Note the attachments for ligaments nuchae

Answer 15

Continuation of supraspinous ligament, extends from spinous process of C7 to the external occipital protuberance, deep part attaches to the posterior tubercle of the atlas

Question 16

Where is the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 16

Lower cervical

Question 17

Where is the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 17

Lower cervical

Question 18

Where is the ligament flavum?

Answer 18

Between lamina of adjacent vertebrae, lower cervical

Question 19

Where is the intertransverse ligament?

Answer 19

Lower cervical

Question 20

Where is the interspinous ligament?

Answer 20

Lower cervical

Question 21

What is the anterior antlanto-occipital ligament a continuation of?

Answer 21

Anterior longitudinal

Question 22

What is the posterior antlanto-occipital ligament a continuation of?

Answer 22

Ligamentum flavum

Question 23

Regarding cervical flexion, note degrees and muscles

Answer 23

80, sternocleidomastoid (bilateral), scalenes (bilateral)

Question 24

Regarding cervical extension, note degrees and muscles

Answer 24

60, levator scapulae (bilateral), upper fibres of trapezius (bilateral), erector spinae (bilateral)

Question 25

Regarding cervical side flexion, note degrees and muscles

Answer 25

20-45, SCM (ipsilateral), scalenes (ipsilateral), levator scapulae (ipsilateral), upper fibres of trapezius (ipsilateral), erector spinae (ipsilateral)

Question 26

Regarding cervical rotation, note degrees and muscles

Answer 26

70-90, SCM (contralateral)

Question 27

Which muscle is innovated by the dorsal scapular nerve?

Answer 27

Levator scapulae

Question 28

Which muscle is innovated by the accessory nerve?

Answer 28

Upper fibres of trapezius

Question 29

Which muscle is innovated by the spinal nerve?

Answer 29

Erector spinae

Question 30

Which muscle is innovated by the C4-6 nerve?

Answer 30

Anterior scalene

Question 31

Which muscle is innovated by the C3-8 nerve?

Answer 31

Middle scalene

Question 32

Which muscle is innovated by the C6-8 nerve?

Answer 32

Posterior scalene

Question 33

Which muscle is innovated by the 11th cranial nerve?

Answer 33

SCM