Chapter 2 Cervical Spine Flashcards
Which vertebra has no spinous process or vertebral body?
C1
Which vertebrae have bifid spinoud processes?
C2-6
What portion of the cervical vertebrae lies bt the superior and inferior facets?
Articular pillars (or lateral masses)
What is located posterior to the cervical transverse processes?
Articular pillars
What is used by DO’s to evaluate cervical vertebral motion?
Articular pillars
What vertebrae do the vertebral arteries pass thru?
C1-6
What do the vertebral arteries pass thru?
Foramen transversarium
Where do the scalenes originate?
Posterior tubercle of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae
Where does the anterior scalene insert?
Rib 1
Where does the middle scalene insert?
Rib 1
Where does the posterior scalene insert?
Rib 2
What are the actions of the scalenes?
Sidebend to same side with unilateral contraction, flex with bilateral contraction (also aid in respiration)
Where would you find a scalene tenderpoint in a rib dysfunction?
Posterior to clavicle at base of neck
Where does the SCM originate?
Mastoid and lateral half of superior nuchal line
Where does the SCM insert?
Medial 1/3 of clavicle and sternum
What are the actions of the SCM?
With unilateral contraction, will sidebend ipsilaterally and rotate contralaterally; bilateral contraction flexes head
Shortening or restrictions within the SCM results in what?
Torticollis
What ligament extends from the sides of the dens to the lateral margins of the foramen magnum?
Alar ligament
What ligament attaches to the lateral masses of C1 to hold the dens in place?
Transverse ligament of the atlas
What syndromes can weaken the alar and transverse ligaments resulting in AA subluxation?
Down’s and RA
What are uncinate processes?
Superior lateral projections originating from the posterior lateral rim of the vertebral bodies of C3-7
What is the joint of Luschka (unconvertebral joints)?
The articulation of the superior uncinate process and superadjacent vertebrae
What is the most common cause of cervical nerve root pressure?
Degeneration of the joints of Luschka plus hypertrophic arthritis of the intervertebral synovial (facet) joints
Where does C8 nerve root exit?
Between C7 and T1
What nerve roots make up the brachial plexus?
C5-T1
What is the primary motion of the OA?
Flexion and extension–50% of flexion/extension of cervical spine occurs at OA
How does sidebending occur at OA?
Opposite rotation
What is the primary motion of the AA?
Rotation–50% of rotation of cervical spine occurs at AA
What are the mvts of C2-7
Sidebending and rotation occur to the same side
Main motions of C2-4?
Rotation
Main motions of C5-7?
Sidebending
Lateral translation to the right will cause what motion?
Left sidebending
What if you feel a deep sulcus on the right at the OA joint?
Rotated right, sidebent left
How do you evaluate the AA?
Flex cervical spine to 45 degrees to lock out rotation of typical cervical vertebrae
An acute injury to the cervical spine is best treated how?
MFR or counterstrain
How does cervical foraminal stenosis present?
Neck pain radiating to upper extremity
What are the S/S of cervical foraminal stenosis?
Increased pain with neck extension, posiive Spurling’s, paraspinal muscle spasm, posterior and anterior cervical tenderpoints
Which vertebra actually rotates, the atlas or axis?
Atlas rotates on axis
Which cervical segment is best assessed by flexing neck to 45 and rotating?
C1
