Cspine anatomy/biomechanics review Flashcards
What processes do you find on the typical cervical vertebrae (3-7) on the lateral discal surfaces of the superior body?
Uncinate processes
Within the uncovertebral joints, what herniations are more common than posterior lateral?
Just posterior because of uncinate processes
What are the posteriolateral projections off the body?
Pedicles
What runs through the foramen transversarium? What is the one exception?
Vertebral artery, except C7
Describe the spinous process on the typical cervical vertebrae (3-7)? Except what vert?
Bifid (except 6,7)
What travels through the intervertebral foramen?
Nerve roots
What part of the atlas articulates with the dens of C2?
The posterior surface of the anterior arch
The groove on the superior surface of the posterior arch of the atlas holds what?
The VA
What ligament attaches to the posterior tubercle of the atlas?
Ligamenta flava
Where can you palpate the transverse process of the atlas?
Between mastoid process and ramus of mandible
The superior facets of the articular pillars on the axis are what shape?
Slightly convex
The inferior facets of the articular pillars on the axis are what shape?
oriented inferiorly and anteriorly
The pedicles of the axis are grooved for what structure?
VA
The transverse processes of the axis are projected which direction?
Inferiolaterally
What are the stabilizing ligamentous structures of the dens on the axis?
- Transverse ligament
- Apical ligament
- Alar ligaments
The intervertebral discs are composed of what 3 structures?
– Nucleus pulposus
– Annulus fibrosus
– Vertebral endplates
T/F there is no clear boundary between the nucleus and annulus
True
The nucleus pulposus is made up of what material?
Cartilage cells and irregularly arranged collagen fibers in semifluid ground matrix
T/f the nucleus pulposus can not be compressed
True, deformed, but not compressed
- Transmits pressure in all directions if deformed
What are the layers of the vertebral endplate toward the vertebral body and toward the nucleus?
the vertebral body - hyaline cartilage
toward the nucleus - fibrocartilage
The vertebral endplate is weakly attached to ____ and strongly attached to ____
vertebral bodies
disc
What are the 3 primary functions of the c-spine disc?
- Allows motion
- transmit forces
- attenuation of forces
What part of the cspine annulus is thick/strong and lambdoid orientation?
Anterior annulus
What part of the cspine annulus is thin with longitudinal fibers and a transverse fissure?
posterior annulus
The transverse fissure of the posterior annulus allows for what?
Allows for swinging motion of cervical vertebral bodies
What is the function of ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINTS?
Function: Guide & limit movement of spine
What type of joints is the ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINT?
Type: Synovial joint (Synovial lining, surrounded by capsule)
The ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINTS have a fibro-adipose meniscoid that projects up to 5 mm into joint cavity (superior & inferior) for what purpose?
Transmit loads & Protects articular cartilage that would otherwise be exposed during motion
T/F the fibro-adipose meniscoid of the ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINT is highly innervated
True
The medial branch of the dorsal rami innervates what?
ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINT
The sinuvertebral nerve off the ventral rami moves posterior and anteriorly and crosses midline to innervate what?
Innervates annulus fibrosus 1/3 deep
Why don’t we feel degeneration of the disk until it gets into the outer 1/3?
the sinuvertebral nerve innervates 1/3 deep