Cervical Vertebrae

Question 1

General Characteristics

Answer 1

Bodies are small and oval, spinse are mostly bifid (splits into 2 slightly bulbous notches at the end)

Question 2

General structure

Answer 2

Transverse Foramen: Vertebral artery which travels toward the brain lies within

Have short anterior and posterior tubercles forming a groove for the exiting spinal nerve

Question 3

Characterisitcs of the Atlas

Answer 3

Supports the occipital condyles of the skull at its superior articular process sufrace/facet or lateral mass

Has no spinous process or body, instead has anterior and posterior arches

has a transverse foramen and a groove for the vertebral artery superiorly.

Question 4

Characteristics of the Axis

Answer 4

Has body with projection called the Dens/Odontoid Process (rotation point of the skull)

Dens is held by Transverse Ligament pf Atlas