Cervical Vertebra Flashcards
What is the name of the first cervical vertebra?
Atlas
What features are lacking at C1?
Vertebral body
Pedicles
Spinous process
Intervertebral disc
What muscle attaches to the anterior arch of C1?
Longus colli
What ligaments will attach to the anterior arch of C1?
Anterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior atlanto-occipital ligament
Anterior atlanto-axial ligament
What is observed on the back of the anterior arch of C1?
Fovea dentis
What is the morphology of the superior articular facet of C1?
They are elliptical
Closer together in front
Often demonstrate an elevation subdividing the facet surface into two separate surfaces
What is the orientation of the superior articular facet of C1?
Backward, upward, medial (BUM)
What is the joint classification of the atlanto-occipital zygapophysis?
Synovial (diarthrosis) ellipsoidal joint
What are the morphological characteristics of the inferior articular facet of C1?
Asymmetrical
Slightly concave or flattened
What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of C1?
Backward, medial, downward (BMD)
What is the joint classification of the atlanto-axial zygapophysis?
Synovial plane (diarthrosis arthroidal) joint
What is the name of the rounded elevation on the medial aspect of the lateral mass of C1?
Tubercle for the transverse atlantal ligament
What muscles attach to the lateral mass of C1?
Levator scapula
Splenius cervicis
Rectus capitis anterior
What is the contribution of the posterior arch to the circumference of C1?
About 40%
What part of C1? represents the spinous process?
Posterior tubercle of the posterior arch
What is the distance from the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch to the skin in each gender?
Males: about 50mm
Females: about 37mm
What attaches to the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch of C!?
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Ligamentum nuchae
What superior surface modifications of the posterior arch of C1 are present?
Groove/sulcus for the vertebral artery
Arcuate rim
What attaches to the arcuate rim of C1?
Posterior atlanto-occipital ligament
Ossification of the free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament results in which atypical bone classification?
Accessory bone
What is the earliest age of development where ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament was observed?
About age 7
What may be formed of ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament?
Partial ponticulus posticus or complete ponticulus posticus
What other name may be used to identify a ponticulus posticus?
Kimmerle’s anomaly
What names are given to the opening formed by the ponticulus posticus?
Arcuate foramen or retroarticular canal
Ponticulus posticus has observed in what ethnic populations?
All ethnic populations
What is the general range of incidence of ponticulus posticus in the populations studied?
1%-4%
What is the gender bias now associated with ponticulus posticus?
Female
What is the incidence of a complete ponticulus posticus versus an incomplete ponticulus posticus?
Incidence of a complete ponticulus posticus is about 15%
Incidence of an incomplete ponticulus posticus may be as high as 41%
What joint classifications may be observed on the posterior arch of C1?
Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint
What is the location of the “zygapophysis” relative to the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial intervertebral foramen?
It forms part of the anterior boundary of the intervertebral foramen in both cases
What are the osseous parts of the transverse process of C1?
Costal element
Posterior tubercle
True transverse process
What osseous parts of the transverse process are absent at C1?
Anterior tubercle
Costotransverse bar
What muscles attach to the transverse process of C1?
Rectus capitis anterior Rectus capitis lateralis Middle scalene Levator scapula Spenius cervicis Obliquus capitis superior Obliquus capitis inferior Intertransversarii muscles
What suboccipital muscles are known to have facial projections attaching to the spinal dura?
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Rectus capitis posterior major
Obliquus capitis inferior
What are the connections between suboccipital muscles and the spinal dura called?
Myodural bridges
What are the lateral bridges of atlas connected to?
Lateral mass of atlas
Transverse process of atlas
What opening is identified when a complete lateral bridge is formed?
Retrotransverse foramen
What are the possible contents of the retrotransverse foramen?
Vertebral artery
Branch from the suboccipital nerve
Veins communicating with the venous sinus of the neck
Which of the ponticles (bridges) of atlas is only observed in humans?
Lateral bridges
What is observed in the transverse foramen of C1?
Vertebral artery
Vertebral venous plexus
Postganglionic sympathetic motor nerve fibers
What is the gender variation for measurements of the transverse diameter of C1?
Males: 78mm
Females: 72mm
What is the distance from the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of C1 to the skin for each gender?
Little over 30mm for both males and females
What joint classifications are observed at C1?
Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint Synovial (diarthrosis) ellipsoidal joint Synovial pivot (diarthrosis trochoid) joint Synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia) joint
How many synovial joint surfaces are observed at C1?
5
What names are given to C2?
Axis or epistropheus