Day 19 ( Vertebral Artery, Miscellaneous Cervical Questions)

Question 1

The vertebral artery on which side is typically larger?

Answer 1

left vertebral artery

Question 2

What is the gender bias regarding size of the vertebral artery?

Answer 2

men have larger vertebral arteries than women

Question 3

What was the name of the physical exam used to determine vertebral artery patency?

Answer 3

the vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency test

Question 4

Which side artery was tested during the course of the vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency exam?

Answer 4

the ipsilateral artery on the side of rotation

Question 5

What are the symptoms of failure of the vertebral artery to compensate during the vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency exam?

Answer 5

dizziness, vertigo, nausea are common complaints

Question 6

The vertebral artery is typically a branch of which artery?

Answer 6

subclavian artery

Question 7

At what location will the vertebral artery form its first compensatory loop?

Answer 7

the atlanto-axial interspace

Question 8

At what location will the vertebral artery form its second compensatory loop?

Answer 8

the atlanto-occipital interspace

Question 9

At what segments will the vertebral artery be firmly attached to the transverse foramen?

Answer 9

both C1 and C2

Question 10

What is the purpose of the vertebral artery loops between C2, C1, and occiput?

Answer 10

the increased length will accomodate the greater rotation at these locations

Question 11

What artery is formed by the union of the right and left vertebral arteries?

Answer 11

the basilar artery

Question 12

What forms the anterior boundary for the C2 nerve exit from the spinal canal?

Answer 12

inferior articular process of C1, superior articular process of C2, capsular ligament

Question 13

What forms the posterior boundary for the C2 nerve exit from the spinal canal?

Answer 13

the posterior arch of C1, lamina of C2 and posterior atlanto-axial ligament

Question 14

What forms the anterior boundary for the C3-C7 nerve exit from the spinal canal?

Answer 14

the vertebral bodies, intervertebral disc, posterior longitudinal ligament, uncinate process, lateral groove

Question 15

What are the superior articular facet orientations for the cervical vetebrae?

Answer 15

C1 is backward, upward, medial (BUM), C2 is backward, upward, lateral (BUL), C3-C7 is backward, upward, medial (BUM)

Question 16

What are the inferior articular facet orientations for the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 16

C1 is backward, downward, medial (BMD), C2-C6 is forward, downward, lateral (FoLD), C7 is forward, downward, medial (ForMeD)

Question 17

How many synovial joints are identified for each cervical vertebra?

Answer 17

C1=5, C2=8, C3-C6=8, C7=6

Question 18

How many joints are identified at the vertebral body of each cervical vertebra?

Answer 18

C1=none, C2=10, C3-C6=10, C7=8