Head Neck and Spine 3 CAS

Question 1

Label the structures around the Atlanto-Occipital and Atlanto-axial joint movements.

Answer 1

Question 2

What is the purpose of the Atlanto-Occipital and the Atlanto-Axial joints?

Answer 2

• Adapted for head movements.
• The atlanto-occipital joints allow nodding and lateral flexion movements of the head
• The atlanto-axial joints allow rotation of the head.

Question 3

What kind of joints are atlanto-occipital joints and where are they located?

Answer 3

• Atlanto-occipital joints are synovial joints between convex occipital condyles and concave facets on the lateral mass of the atlas (see diagram E on the previous flashcard).

Question 4

What are the curved surfaces of the atlanto-occipital joints adapted for?

Answer 4

The curved surfaces are adapted for head flexion and extension, and abduction (lateral flexion) of the skull on the atlas vertebra.

Question 5

In the erect position, where is the centre of gravity of the skull?

Answer 5

In the erect position, the centre of gravity of the skull lies anterior to the joints and the head is held in position by the tone of the extensor muscles (postvertebral group of muscles) in the back of the neck.

Question 6

What movement is produced when there is a unilateral contraction of the sterno-mastoids and prevertebral muscles? Is there any rotation at the atlanto-occipital joints when this happens?

Answer 6

They produce lateral flexion of the head. There is no rotation at the atlanto-occipital joints.

Question 7

How do you test the movement of the atlanto-occipital joints?

Answer 7

• Patient sits with their head held in erect position looking straight ahead.
• The examiner stands behind the patient and holds the neck just below the jaws with one hand, and instructs the patient to nod the head up and down as if to say “yes”, while the examiner keeps check of the rest of the cervical spine does not bend.

Question 8

What kind of joints are atlanto-axial joints and where are they located?

Answer 8

• Atlanto-axial joints are synovial joints between the atlas and the dense of axis, and the lateral masses of both vertebrae (see diagram D in the illustration flashcard).
• The dense of the axis vertebra articulates with the posterior surface of the anterior arch of the atlas vertebra via a synovial joint.
• The dense of axis is held in position by the transverse limb of the cruciate ligament. The atlas rotates along a vertical axis passing through the dense. The head rotates with the atlas. The muscles responsible for rotation are sterno-mastoids and sub-occipital muscles (splenius capitis, inferior oblique).



Question 9

How do you test the movement of the atlanto-axial joints?

Answer 9

• Patient is seated with their head held in erect position looking straight ahead.
• The examiner stands behind the patient and holds the neck just below the jaws with one hand, and instructs the patient to rotate their head side to side, as if to say “no”, while the examiner keeps check of the rest of the cervical spine does not bend.

Question 10

What does the oral cavity consist of?

Answer 10

The oral cavity consists of an oral fissure between the lips; cheeks forming lateral walls; oral vestibule (space between teeth and lips/cheeks); oral cavity proper (space internal to the teeth); hard and soft palate forming the roof; and a floor mainly made of a muscular diaphragm consisting of mylohyoid muscle.

Question 11

What muscles does the tongue consist of?

Answer 11

The tongue consists of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, the latter attached to both mandible and hyoid bone.

Question 12

What is the superior surface of the tongue covered in?

Answer 12

The superior surface of the tongue is covered with mucosa containing numerous papillae and taste buds.

Question 13

Anatomy of the oral cavity