Cervical Vertebrae Flashcards
How many vertebrae is the cervical segment made up of?
7
Describe the different kinds of vertebrae of the cervical segment
2 specialised vertebrae at the top
4 typical vertebrae
1 transitional vertebrae at the bottom
Where do the cervical vertebrae articulate with each other?
At the inferior and superior articular facets
Where does C1 articulate?
With the superior articular facet of the occipital
What structure is in between the transverse processes and is a pathway for vessels?
Transverse foramina
What vessels pass through the transverse foramina?
Vertebral artery and vein
What is the intertubercular lamina?
space between anterior and posterior tubercles of transverse processes
What is different about the spinous processes of cervical vertebrae?
They are bifid (2 prongs)
What are the uncinate processes?
they are on the edges of the body and the processes loop up to stop other proccesses moving - locking in place to stop neck moving too much
Describe C1/Atlas
It is a ring of bone with no body or disc
It has no spinous process
The superior articular facet is cup shaped to hold the head (can be singular or double)
It has an anterior tubercle
Describe C2/Axis
It has a modified body
On top of the body, it has DENS (odontoid process)
It has a prominent spinous process
What does the dens do?
Allows rotation of head
Describe C3-C6
They have saddle shaped bodies (change in size slightly)
Bifid spinois processes
Describe C7 (transitional vertebrae)
It has different inferior articular facet angulation
Spinous process is longer and blunter for attachment of ligamentum nuchae
Spinous process points at a differnt angle (more thoracic-like)
Helps aid in nodding movement
Palpable
