Cspine anatomy/biomechanics review Flashcards

1
Q

What processes do you find on the typical cervical vertebrae (3-7) on the lateral discal surfaces of the superior body?

A

Uncinate processes

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2
Q

Within the uncovertebral joints, what herniations are more common than posterior lateral?

A

Just posterior because of uncinate processes

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3
Q

What are the posteriolateral projections off the body?

A

Pedicles

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4
Q

What runs through the foramen transversarium? What is the one exception?

A

Vertebral artery, except C7

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5
Q

Describe the spinous process on the typical cervical vertebrae (3-7)? Except what vert?

A

Bifid (except 6,7)

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6
Q

What travels through the intervertebral foramen?

A

Nerve roots

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7
Q

What part of the atlas articulates with the dens of C2?

A

The posterior surface of the anterior arch

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8
Q

The groove on the superior surface of the posterior arch of the atlas holds what?

A

The VA

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9
Q

What ligament attaches to the posterior tubercle of the atlas?

A

Ligamenta flava

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10
Q

Where can you palpate the transverse process of the atlas?

A

Between mastoid process and ramus of mandible

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11
Q

The superior facets of the articular pillars on the axis are what shape?

A

Slightly convex

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12
Q

The inferior facets of the articular pillars on the axis are what shape?

A

oriented inferiorly and anteriorly

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13
Q

The pedicles of the axis are grooved for what structure?

A

VA

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14
Q

The transverse processes of the axis are projected which direction?

A

Inferiolaterally

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15
Q

What are the stabilizing ligamentous structures of the dens on the axis?

A
  • Transverse ligament
  • Apical ligament
  • Alar ligaments
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16
Q

The intervertebral discs are composed of what 3 structures?

A

– Nucleus pulposus
– Annulus fibrosus
– Vertebral endplates

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17
Q

T/F there is no clear boundary between the nucleus and annulus

A

True

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18
Q

The nucleus pulposus is made up of what material?

A

Cartilage cells and irregularly arranged collagen fibers in semifluid ground matrix

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19
Q

T/f the nucleus pulposus can not be compressed

A

True, deformed, but not compressed

- Transmits pressure in all directions if deformed

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20
Q

What are the layers of the vertebral endplate toward the vertebral body and toward the nucleus?

A

the vertebral body - hyaline cartilage

toward the nucleus - fibrocartilage

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21
Q

The vertebral endplate is weakly attached to ____ and strongly attached to ____

A

vertebral bodies

disc

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22
Q

What are the 3 primary functions of the c-spine disc?

A
  1. Allows motion
  2. transmit forces
  3. attenuation of forces
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23
Q

What part of the cspine annulus is thick/strong and lambdoid orientation?

A

Anterior annulus

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24
Q

What part of the cspine annulus is thin with longitudinal fibers and a transverse fissure?

A

posterior annulus

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25
Q

The transverse fissure of the posterior annulus allows for what?

A

Allows for swinging motion of cervical vertebral bodies

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26
Q

What is the function of ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINTS?

A

Function: Guide & limit movement of spine

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27
Q

What type of joints is the ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINT?

A

Type: Synovial joint (Synovial lining, surrounded by capsule)

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28
Q

The ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINTS have a fibro-adipose meniscoid that projects up to 5 mm into joint cavity (superior & inferior) for what purpose?

A

Transmit loads & Protects articular cartilage that would otherwise be exposed during motion

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29
Q

T/F the fibro-adipose meniscoid of the ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINT is highly innervated

A

True

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30
Q

The medial branch of the dorsal rami innervates what?

A

ZYGAPOPHYSIAL JOINT

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31
Q

The sinuvertebral nerve off the ventral rami moves posterior and anteriorly and crosses midline to innervate what?

A

Innervates annulus fibrosus 1/3 deep

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32
Q

Why don’t we feel degeneration of the disk until it gets into the outer 1/3?

A

the sinuvertebral nerve innervates 1/3 deep

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33
Q

Describe the articulating surfaces of the joints of luschka.

A

Articulating surfaces:
Medial border of uncinate processes
Articulates with the inferiolateral border of the superior vertebra

34
Q

You can get formations in the joints of luschka which will do what?

A

Project out where nerve roots pass through and impinge and cause radiculopathy

35
Q

Obliquus Capitis inferior action -

A

Rotates the head ipsilaterally (Transverse process c1 to spinous process c2)

36
Q

Obliquus Capitis Superior action -

A

Capital extension, ipsilateral lateral flexion (skull to transverse process c1)

37
Q

Rectus Capitis Posterior major action -

A

Capital extension, ipsilateral rotation (skull to spinous process c2)

38
Q

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor action -

A

Extends the head (skull to posterior arch of c1)

39
Q

Bilateral contraction of the longus coli does what?

A

straightens cervical curvature and flexes neck

40
Q

What muscle plays a role in static position of the neck?

A

longus coli

41
Q

Which scalene muscle attaches to the 2nd rib?

A

posterior (ant/middle attach to 1st rib)

42
Q

Scalenes will do what to the cpine lordosis when the longus coli is not active?

A

Increase lordosis

43
Q

Transverse ligament of atlas does what?

A

Retains dens against anterior arch of C1

44
Q

What are 3 parts of the cruciate ligament?

A
  1. Transverse
  2. Superior longitudinal
  3. Inferior longitudinal
45
Q

The Superior longitudinal ligament attaches to what?

A

(attaches to occipital bone)

46
Q

The inferior longitudinal ligament attaches to what?

A

(attaches to posterior surface of body of axis)

47
Q

The alar ligament’s origin and insertion are?

A

origin - apex of dens

insertion - occipital condyles

48
Q

The alar ligament limits what?

A

C1-C2 rotation

49
Q

When is the alar ligament taut?

A

with contralateral rotation (right taut with left rotation)

50
Q

The apical ligament’s origin and insertion are?

A

origin - Apex of dens

insertion - anterior foramen magnum

51
Q

The posterior longitudinal ligament continues on to be what ligament?

A

tectoral ligament

52
Q

The tectoral ligament’s origin and insertion are?

A

Posterior body of C2 to above foramen magnum

53
Q

The posterior longitudinal ligament spans from the posterior body of C2 to where?

A

The sacrum

54
Q

The anterior longitudinal ligament spans what part of the spine and blends with what?

A

Anterior spine, blending with the anterior bodies and annulus/end plates

55
Q

What ligament attaches adjacent laminae?

A

Ligamenta Flava

56
Q

The ligamentum nuchae is continuous with what ligament?

A

supraspinous ligament

57
Q

What are the clinical implications if there is a compression on the nerve root prior to convergence?

A

Clinical Implications: possible sensory or motor impairment (or both)

58
Q

If the nerve compression if more proximal, what impairments will you see?

A

either sensory or motor

59
Q

What muscle does the brachial plexus pass between from the cervical spine?

A

the anterior and middle scalene muscles

60
Q

What surrounds the brachial plexus?

A

The axillary sheath

61
Q

The cords pass deep to what structures?

A

Clavicle and pec minor

62
Q

What is the primary function of the Convex occipital condyle sitting in a concave superior surface of the lateral mass of C1?

A

transmit forces from head to cervical spine

63
Q

What is the function of the superior and posteriorly facing articular facets of the mid/lower cervical spine?

A
Superior = bear weight of pillar above
Posterior = stabilizes vertebra by impeding anterior translation
64
Q

Describe the arthrokinematic motion that occurs with the head nodding forward

A

With head nodding forward = occipital condyles roll forward coupled with a downward and posterior slide to keep condyles against C1 floor

65
Q

What limits neck flexion?

A

limited by post neck muscles and impaction of submandibular tissues against throat

66
Q

Describe the arthrokinematic motion that occurs with the head extension/.

A

occipital condyles roll posterior coupled with downward and anterior slide

67
Q

What limits neck extension?

A

limited by compression of suboccipital muscles against occiput

68
Q

Describe the arthrokinematic motion that occurs with the head rotation

A

not a true movement but can be induced if sufficient torque applied

69
Q

What limits head rotation?

A

limited by tension of capsule and alar lig

70
Q

T/F Lateral flexion at the occiput and C1 is not a true movement.

A

True

71
Q

Describe axial rotation around the atlas.

A

anterior displacement of 1 lateral mass and posterior displacement of opposite coupled with the inferior articular cartilage of atlas sliding down convex superior articular cartilage of axis assuming space previously occupied by intra-articular meniscoids

72
Q

What limits axial rotation around the atlas?

A

Alar ligament

73
Q

T/F First 75% of cervical spine rotation occurs at the atlas/axial

A

False, first 50%

74
Q

Describe extension between the atlas and the axis,

A

dens curved slightly posteriorly allowing for atlas to slide upwards and backwards

75
Q

Describe Flexion between the atlas and the axis,

A

anterior translation of atlas where anterior arch separates from dens slightly

76
Q

Describe Lateral translation between the atlas and the axis,

A

superior articular facets of axis slope inferiorly and laterally, lateral translation of atlas accompanied by ipsilateral side bending

77
Q

What limits lateral translation of atlas on axis?

A

Alar ligament

78
Q

What limits posterior translation of atlas on axis?

A

limited by impact of anterior arch and dens

79
Q

What limits anterior translation of atlas on axis?

A

limited by transverse and alar lig

80
Q

Describe lateral flexion between C2 and C1

A

C2 squeezed into ipsilateral rotation while atlas undergoes contralateral rotation

81
Q

Describe flexion at the mid and lower cervical spine segments.

A

long superior articular process = flexion/extension axes closer to intervertebral disc of segment

82
Q

Describe side bending at the mid and lower cervical spine segments.

A

impaction of ipsilateral inferior facet against opposing superior articular facet