Cervical spine bones Flashcards
Upper segment vert
C1 & C2 vertebrae
Upper segment joints
A/O & A/A joints
Connecting ligaments
Lower segment vert
C3-C7 vertebrae
Lower segment joints
C2/3-C7/T1 joints
Connecting ligaments
“Sensory Platform”
The cervical spine can be thought of as the sensory platform to support and allow movement of the head
allows us to turn our head so we can see
“Typical” Cervical Vertebrae
C3 – C6
“Atypical” Cervical Vertebrae:
C1, C2, C7
These do not have all the typical properties of spinal vert
Body of Typical Cervical Vertebra size
Relatively small
Transversely broad
where are Uncinate processes found
on posterolateral part of superior surface
Anterior rim of inferior surface face what direction
projects downward
Vertebral foramen in the cervical region
is relatively large and triangular
the spinal cord is the largest in this region
Pedicles vertebral notches in typical c-vert
Superior and inferior vertebral notches are about equal in depth
Laminae in c-vert
Elongated, broad
Spinous process in c-vert
Short & bifid (C2-C6)
Articular pillars
Column formed by sup & inf artic processes
C2 –C7 facet – they form a column that is not seen in the other areas of the back
orientation of superior art facet
Superior facets face up & back
orientation of inferior art facet
Inferior facets face down & forward
Transverse processes
Anterior & posterior roots that terminate in anterior & posterior tubercles with intertubercular lamella between
Transverse foramen
in the middle of the TP for the vertebral artery
Intervertebral foramen formed by
Formed between superior and inferior notches of adjacent pedicles
Posterior wall formed by articular pillar
Anterior wall formed by uncinate process and IV disc
C1 - Atlas body
has none
C1 - Atlas SP
has no true one
lateral masses of the atlas are connected by
connected in front by anterior arch and behind by posterior arch
C1 Anterior Arch
Anterior tubercle on anterior surface
Facet for dens on posterior surface
C1 Lateral Masses- Superior facets
Concave & elongated with restricted middle
Face up & medially
hold the O
C1 Lateral Masses - Inferior facets
Flat, circular
Face down & medially
C1 Lateral Masse additional surfaces other then the facets
Tubercle for attachment of transverse ligament
C1 Posterior Arch parts
Posterior tubercle
Superior surface has groove for vertebral artery
C1 Posterior Arch post tub
Posterior tubercle represents spinous process
C1 Transverse Processes
Long and broad
Well adapted as levers for mm that act to rotate head
Transverse foramen for vertebral artery
vertebral art path
travels through the transverse foramen and the at C1 goes through the groove for the vert art and the travels to supply the brain
C1 and c2 relationship
C2 is the Pivot on which the atlas rotates
C2 - Axis superior vs. inferior
Superior half has special features
Inferior half resembles typical cervical vertebra
C2 Dens other name
(Odontoid Process)
C2 Dens extends from where on the vert
Extends up from body
C2 Dens parts
Anteriorly, facet for anterior arch of atlas
Posteriorly, facet for transverse ligament
Apex – attachment for apical ligament
Sides – attachments for alar ligaments
C2 - Axis ossifiaction centers
C2 has 5 primary centers of ossification
2 of which are for the dens
typical vert ossification centers
Typical vertebra has 3 primary centers of ossification
One for the body
One on each side for the vertebral arch
C2 - Axis body direction
Anteriorly, downward projection from inferior surface
C2 - Axis pedicales notches
Inferior notch is deeper, and the superior notch is more shallow
C2 - Axis Laminae
Relatively broad
C2 Spinous Process
Bifid
Large
Good lever for muscles which extend, retract and rotate head
C2 Transverse Processes
Relatively small
Single tubercle at apex
Transverse foramen for vertebral artery
C2 Articular Processes- superior
Large oval facets face up and slightly lat’ly
Don’t form articular pillars with inferior processes, because are aligned anterior to them
C2 Articular Processes- inferior
Located at junction of pedicles and laminae
Facets angled downwards and forwards as in typical cervical vertebrae
C7 other name
Vertebra Prominens
C7 SP
Thick, horizontally aligned
Single tubercle
C7 TP
Large, especially posterior tubercle
Transverse foramen
