Craniovertebral Joints and Prevertebral Region

Question 1

Which vertebra has transverse foramen?

Answer 1

C1 and C2

Question 2

Which vertebra has the dens?

Answer 2

C2

Question 3

T/F: C1 does not have a body or spinous process.

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

Which joint is the “yes” joint?

Answer 4

Atlanto-occipital

Question 5

Which joint is the “no” joint?

Answer 5

Atlanto-axial joint

Question 6

What membrane is immediately superficial to the dura mater at the C1-C2 level?

Answer 6

Tectorial membrane (extension of posterior longitudinal ligament)

Question 7

T/F: The posterior longitudinal ligament is anterior to the body of the vertebra?

Answer 7

FALSE.

Posterior to body, anterior to spinal cord

Question 8

What is just anterior to the bodies of the vertebra?

Answer 8

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 9

What is the superior extension of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 9

Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane

Question 10

What is the posterior membrane connecting the atlas and occipital bone?

Answer 10

Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane (extension of ligamentum flavum)

Question 11

What fills in gaps between posterior vertebral arches?

Answer 11

Ligamentum flava

Question 12

What are the four deep ligaments of the craniovertebral joint?

Answer 12

1. Transverse ligament of atlas
2. Cruciform ligament of atlas
3. Alar ligaments
4. Apical ligament of the dens

Question 13

Which ligament holds the dens to the atlas?

Answer 13

Transverse ligament of atlas

Question 14

Which ligament is formed by three bands to attaching to C1, C2, and the foramen magnum?

Answer 14

Cruciform ligament

Question 15

Which strong ligaments extends from dens to occipital condyles? (checks lateral rotation)

Answer 15

Alar ligaments

Question 16

Which slender ligament attaches dens to foramen magnum?

Answer 16

Apical ligament of dens

Question 17

What structure sits between the vertebral compartment of the neck and the carotid sheaths on either side?

Answer 17

Sympathetic trunks

Question 18

What ganglia does the sympathetic trunk give rise to?

Answer 18

Superior Cervical Ganglion

Question 19

What ganglia sit in the jugular foramen?

Answer 19

CN IX and X (inferior and superior)

Question 20

What muscle does CN IX run along and innervate?

Answer 20

Stylopharyngeus

Question 21

What two branches come from CN X at the base of the skull?

Answer 21

1. Pharyngeal nerve: innervates pharynx

2. Superior laryngeal nerve: innervates larynx

Question 22

In the pharyngeal plexus, which nerve provides most sensory innervation?

Answer 22

CN IX

Question 23

In the pharyngeal plexus, which nerve provides most of the motor innervation?

Answer 23

CN X

*Stylopharyngeus innervated by CN IX

Question 24

What nerve in the pharyngeal plexus carries parasympathetic fibers?

Answer 24

CN X

Question 25

What is the origin of sympathetic fibers in the pharyngeal plexus?

Answer 25

Superior cervical ganglion

Question 26

Where does the hypoglossal nerve leave the cranium?

Answer 26

Hypoglossal canal

Question 27

What does CN XII supply?

Answer 27

Muscles of tongue

Question 28

What vertebral levels form the ansa cervicalis?

Answer 28

C1-C3

Question 29

What vertebral levels form the phrenic nerve?

Answer 29

C3-C5

Question 30

What part of the diaphragm is innervated with SENSORY fibers from the phrenic nerve?

Answer 30

Central diaphragm

Question 31

Where do the vertebral vessels enter the vertebra?

Answer 31

C6

Question 32

Where do the vertebral veins drain into?

Answer 32

Brachiocephalic vein

Question 33

What do the vertebral arteries branch off of?

Answer 33

Subclavian artery