Cervical Spine Anatomy

Question 1

The cervical spine has ___ vertebrae that ____ in size as you move inferiorly

Answer 1

7 vertebrae, increase in size

Question 2

C1 and C2 are completely _____

Answer 2

Atypical

Question 3

C3 thru C6 are ____ vertebrae with three distinct features

Answer 3

Typical

Question 4

C7 is more similar to the _____ vertebrae

Answer 4

Thoracic

Question 5

Typical cervical vertebra (C3-C6)

Answer 5

• transverse processes are small, arise from the pedicles and the body, and have transverse foramina
• the spinous process has a bifid tips
• the body is small and the anterior edge overlaps the body of the next inferior vertebrae
• short supportive columns of bone known as the articular pillars are located between the superior and inferior articular processes

Question 6

Zygapophyseal joints of C2 thru C7

Answer 6

-zygapophyseal joints are oriented 90 degrees from the midsagittal plane and can only be visualized on a lateral c-spine

Question 7

Intervertebral foramina of C2 thru C7

Answer 7

The intervertebral foramina (formed by the superior and inferior vertebral notches on the pedicles) are oriented 45 degrees anteriorly from the midsagital plane and 15 degrees from horizontal
-they can only be visualized on oblique c-spine images

Question 8

The atlas (C1)

Answer 8

• no body, just a thick anterior arch of bone with an anterior tubercle
• no spinous process or laminae, just a posterior arch with a small posterior tubercle
• the superior articular processes have large facets that articulate with the occipital condyles of the skull, to form the occiptoatlantal joints
• the articular pillars are called “lateral masses”

Question 9

The axis (C2)

Answer 9

• the dens or odontoid process projects superiorly from the body
• the superior articular surfaces articulate with the inferior articular surfaces of the lateral masses of C1 to form the atlantoaxial joints
• contains all other anatomy typical of cervical vertebrae but in a modified form

Question 10

The relationship between C1 and C2, and C1 and the skull is crucially important as injury to this area can result in what?

Answer 10

Paralysis and death

Question 11

What is a hangmans fracture?

Answer 11

Fracture of C2

Question 12

What is the precise definition of the occlusal plane?

Answer 12

Biting surface of molars to the mastoid tips

Question 13

If taking an LPO, which intervertebral foramina are visualized?

Answer 13

The right ones

Question 14

What is the difference between lateral C-spine and lateral soft tissue neck

Answer 14

Soft tissue neck includes nasopharynx to apices of lungs and is taken with a lower technique to show soft tissue