Craniovertebral Joints and Vertebral Column Flashcards
pedicle
attaches the base of the transverse process to the back of the vertebral body
lamina
attaches the base of the transverse process to the base of the spinous process
Where, within the vertebral column, will you find the spinal nerve?
intervertebral foramen (under pedicles)
Which ligament protects the vertebral canal from bulging discs into the cord?
posterior longitudinal ligament
What is unique about cervical vertebra 1?
no body and no spinous process (only a tubercle)
What is unique about cervical vertebra 2?
has dens
What are the unique about the cervical vertebra?
small vertebral body, horizontal articular facets that allow for big ROM; small transverse process; foramen transversarium; bifid spinous process (minus C7)
What are the 4 arteries that give blood supply to the head?
r. and l. vertebral a and r. and l. internal carotid a.
What structure does the posterior longitudinal ligament turn into at the base of the skull?
tectoral membrane
Describe the course that the vertebral artery takes into the head
through the cervical vertebrae (not C7) then crosses the dorsal arch of the atlas to enter foramen magnum
What ligament holds the dens of C2 against the anterior tubercle of the atlas?
transverse ligament of atlas (makes up part of cruciate ligament)
Jefferson Fracture
C1; burst fracture (happens when diving into shallow water); usually DOA
Hangman’s Fx
C2; Fracture the pedicles of C2, putting pressure on spinal cord. Chris Reeve.
Fx of Dens or
Rupture of transverse ligament
if the dens is fractured or if the ligament is ruptured, atlas slides forward crushing the spinal cord - death.
In a fx of dens or rupture of transverse ligament what rule is used?
Steele’s Rule of Thirds
What is unique to the lumbar vertebra?
mamillary processes (where small back muscles attach); allow for twisting and lateral flexion
dowagers hump
exaggerated thoracic curvature (kyphosis) - usually associated w/ age and osteoporosis
spondylolisthesis
subluxation of vertebra anteriorly - commonly developed in men; “scottie dog” broken neck
spinda bifida
failure of fusion of the vertebral arches associated w/ maternal folic acid deficiency
Which ligament of the vertebral column goes from lamina to lamina and contains large amounts of elastic fibers to stretch?
ligamentum flavum
What is the medical significance of the internal and external vertebral plexus of veins in the vertebral canal?
The venous drainage and lymph provide a pathway for the spread of infection and or metastasis
What n. innervates the latissimus dorsi?
thoracodorsal n
What innervates the deep back muscles?
DPR
Where will you find the greater occipital n poking through the back muscles?
semipinalis capitis
Greater Occipital N fxn
sensation to back of the skull
