Cervical Vertebrae (notes are needed) Flashcards
what are the functions of cervical vertebrae
Provide attachment sites for muscles
Protects the nervous system via the vertebral canal and intervertebral foramen
Ligaments and intervertebral discs prevent hyper extension and hyper flexion of the head
what does flexion mean
forward bending of neck
what does extension mean
back bending of neck
what are the four regions of vertebrae
cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral
what is a kyphotic curve
convex curve in spine
what does the vertebral foramen house
spinal chord and the dens
what is the The atlanto-occipital joint
connects the atlas to the occipital bone of the skull
what articulates with occipital condyles
superior articular surface of lateral masses on atlas
what does inferior articular surface of lateral mass on atlas articulate with
superior articular surface of lateral masses on axis
what is the dens
a superior projecting bony element from C2
the pivot around which the atlas and head rotate.
what articulates with the dens
Posterior surface of anterior arch of atlas
describe the annulus fibrosus
- Equalises pressure across the disc preventing
stress points - Fibrocartilaginous material
- 50-60% collagen
what is a lordotic curve
concave (rounded inwards) curve in spine
normal curve
what is the axis responsible for
50% of lateral neck movement
what passes through through the transverse foramen
vertebral artery, sympathetic nerve plexus and vertebral venous plexus.
what is the Ligamenta flava
Passes between each lamina of adjacent vertebrae and Resists separation of the lamina
how many cervical vertebrae are there
7
where is the brachial plexus
C5-T1
what is the Ligamentum nuchae
Supports the head, resists excessive flexion and gravity -
returns the head to the anatomical position
runs from C7 to skull
what is the Supraspinous Ligament
Connects the tips of spinous processes from C7 to L3 and L4
what are the Vertebral articulations
4 synovial joints (two above and two below – bilateral superior and
inferior)
2 symphyses (one above and one below)
what are the Interspinous ligaments
Connect the facing edges of consecutive spinous processes
* Attach from the base of each spinous process to blend with the
supraspinous ligament posteriorly and the ligament flava anteriorly
on each side
what are the Intertransverse ligaments
Pass between adjacent transverse processes
* Help prevent excessive lateral movements
what is the atlas responsible for
50% of neck flexion and extension
what are the two regions within a vertebral disc
Nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus (discus)
describe the Nucleus pulposus
- gel-like mass in center of disk under pressure
such that it preloads disk - 80-90% water, 15-20% collagen
- absorbs compression forces between vertebrae
describe the symphyses between vertebrae
- Exist between vertebral bodies
- Fibrocartilaginous fusion
- Formed by an intervertebral disc and a layer of hyaline cartilage
- Allows limited movement and regarded as amphiarthrosis
what do all cervical vertebrae have (apart from C1)
a body, two pedicles, two laminae, superior and inferior articular facets, one spinous and two transverse processes.
where is the cervical plexus
C1-C4
what does the cervical plexus do
provides motor
innervation to some muscles of the neck, and the diaphragm
provides sensory innervation to
parts of the head, neck, and chest.
what is the Anterior/posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Runs the entire length of the spine from the occipital bone to the sacrum.
It connects the anterior/posterior of the vertebral body to the annulus fibrosis
what is the brachial plexus
the network of nerves
that sends signals from the spinal cord to the
shoulder, arm and hand
what ligament connects adjacet vertebral laminae
flava
where does the spinal nerve emerge
between the pedicle of asjacent vertebra
