Craniovertebral Joints Flashcards
Atlas/Axis
Which supports the skull
Atlas
Atlas/Axis
Which has no body or no spinous process
Atlas
Atlas/Axis
Which has large lateral facets?
Atlas
Atlas/Axis
Which has large foramen transversum?
Atlas
Atlas/Axis
Which has dens on superior surface?
Axis
Atlas/Axis
Which has a bifid spinous process?
Axis
What are the 2 main craniovertebral joints
atlanto occipital joint
atlanto axial joint
Both the craniovertebral joints (atlanto occipital and atlanto axial) are ___ joints
synovial
Atlanto occipital joint movement:
“YES”
and tilts head laterally from side to side
Atlanto occipital joint is articulation between __ and __
occipital condyles and C1 facets
Atlanto occipital joint is ___ synovial joint
condyloid synovial joint
Altanto occipital joint range of motion is ____
flexion and extension
Atlanto axial joint movement:
“NO”
Atlanto axial joint is ___ synovial joit
pivot synovial joint
Atlanto axial range of motion is ____
rotation
supplies 50% of cervical rotation
The periosteal dura mater lines ___ and is continuous with ___
lines the cranial vailt
continuos with the spinal column
The tectorial membrane is __ to the dura
deep
Tectorial membrane is the superior extension of ____
posterior longitudinal ligament
The superior extension of the posterior longitudinal ligament is the ____
tectorial membrane
What is found deep to the tectorial membrane?
deep ligaments and craniovertebral joints
What are the two membranes associated with the atlanto-occipital joint?
anterior atlanto-occipital membrane
posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane is the superior extent of ____
anterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane attaches to the _____
base of the occipital bone and the margin of foramen magnum
Anterior altanto-occipital membrane covers what part of the atlas?
covers the anterior arch of the atlas INFERIORLY
Posterior atlanto occipital membrane is a superior extent of ____
ligamentum flavum
What are ligamentum flavum?
fill the gaps between posterior vertebral arches
Superior extension of ligamentum flavum is ____
posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
What are the 4 deep ligaments of craniovertebral joint?
1 transverse ligament of atlas
2 cruciate ligament (cruciform ligament)
3 alar (check) ligament
4 apical ligament of dens
Transverse ligament of atlas holds __ to __
holds dens of axis (C2) tightly to the anterior arch of atlas (C1)
What shape is the transverse ligament of atlas?
bow shaped
If the dens is fractured, where would the fracture be and why?
the fracture would be at the base because the transverse ligament of the atlas holds dens so tightly to the anterior arch of C1
This fracture will likely not repair, but it is not fatal unless severs spinal cord
What are the components to the cruciate ligament?
superior longitudinal band
inferior longitudinal band
transverse ligament of atlas
What are the 2 “bands” in the cruciate (cruciform) ligament?
superior longitudinal band
inferior longitudinal band
Both of the bands in the cruciate ligament are __ oriented
vertically
The superior longitudinal band attaches to ___
the foramen magnum
traverses superiorly from the transverse ligament of the atlas
the inferior longitudinal band attaches to ___
the dens of C2 posteriorly
traverses inferiorly from the transverse ligament of the atlas
Why is the cruciate ligament called the cruciate/cruciform ligament?
the 2 “bands” or “crura” + the transverse ligament of the atlas = a cross (crucifix)
What are the paired, “check” ligaments of the craniovertebral joints?
alar ligaments (check ligaments)
The alar (check) ligaments extend from __ to __
from dens to medial portions of occipital condyles
What do the alar ligaments “check”?
check lateral rotation of skull/head
owls don’t have this
Describe the apical ligament of the dens
slender band ascending from the apex of the dens
The apical ligament of the dens attaches to ____
anterior margin of foramen magnum
Apical ligament of dens is located deep to ____ (another ligament)
superior longitudinal band of the cruciate ligament