Cervical Vertebrae

Question 1

Body

Answer 1

Small and wider from side to side than anterioposterioly, superior surface is concave between adjacent (uncinate) processes; inferior surface is convex.

Question 2

Vertebral Foramen

Answer 2

Large and triangular

Question 3

Transverse processes

Answer 3

Small or absent in C7, vertebral arteries and accompanying venous and sympathetic plexuses pass through foramina (except C7, which transmits only small accessory vertebral veins); anterior and posterior tubercles.

Question 4

Articular processes

Answer 4

Superior facets directed superoposteriorly, inferior facets directed infero-anteriorly

Question 5

Spinous process

Answer 5

C3-C5 short and bifid (split into two parts), process of C6 is long but that of C7 is longer (C7 is called vertebra prominens)

Question 6

Atlas (C1)

Answer 6

Ring-like, somewhat kidney-shaped when viewed from top or bottom.
No spinous process or body, consists of two lateral masses connected by anterior and posterior arches.
Concave superior articular facets from atlanto-occipital joints with the occipital condyles, flat inferior facets meet with the C2 vertebra to form lateral atlanto-axial joints

Question 7

Axis (C2)

Answer 7

Strongest cervical vertebrae
Distinguishing feature is the dens, which projects superiorly from its body and provides a pivot around which the atlas turns and carries the cranium
Articulate anteriorly with the anterior arch of the atlas and posteriorly with the transverse ligament of the atlas