iRA/tRA- C-Spine Anatomy and Biomechanics Review Flashcards
What are the typical cervical vertebrae?
C3-C7
Describe each of these structures of the cervical vertebrae:
- Body
- Uncinate Processes
- Pedicles
- Transverse Processes
- Body- small, broad
- Uncinate Processes- prominence on lateral discal surfaces of superior body; saddle shape (uncoverteral joints)
- Pedicles- posterolateral projection
- Transverse Processes- transverse foramen (except C7), anterior and posterior tubercles located on processes
The cervical spinous process is bifid except for which vertebrae?
-C7 and commonly C6
What are the foramen of the cervical vertebrae?
- spinal
- intervertebral
- foramen transversarium
C1 is known as the ______ and is divided into what 2 portions?
- Atlas (bony ring)
- anterior and posterior arch
The anterior arch of C1 has a posterior surface that articulates with the _______ from C2. The anterior arch also has an anterior tubercle.
dens
The posterior arch of C1 has a groove for the _________ artery. It also has a posterior tubercle which is the attachment for ____________.
- vertebral
- ligamenta flava
What part of C1 articulates with the occipital condyles?
lateral masses
The transverse processes of C1 are ______ than C2-C6 and are palpable between mastoid processes and ramus of mandible.
longer
- C2 articular pillars superior facets are slightly _______.
- C2 articular pillars inferior facets are oriented ________ and __________.
- convex
- inferiorly and anteriorly
What protrudes from the body of C2 and is the axle for head rotation?
dens
What are the stabilizing ligaments of the dens?
- transverse ligament
- apical ligament
- alar ligaments
What is the intervertebral disc made up of?
- nucleus pulposus
- annulus fibrosis
- vertebral endplates
The nucleus pulposus is a semifluid, mucoid material that can be _______, but not compressed.
deformed
The vertebral endplate has what 2 layers?
- hyaline cartilage- towards vertebral body
- fibrocartilage- towards nucleus
The vertebral endplate is _______ attached to the vertebral bodies and ________ attached to the IV disc.
- weakly
- strongly
How do the vertebral discs get nutrients?
Since they are not vascularized, they rely on diffusion from the end plates compression.
Is the annulus fibrosis thicker anteriorly or posteriorly?
anteriorly
The posterior annulus has a ________ fissure that allows for swinging motion of cervical vertebral bodies.
transverse
The zygopophyseal joint is synonymous with _____ joints and ________ joints.
- facet
- apophyseal
What type of joint is the z-joint and what is its function?
- synovial joint (lining surrounded by capsule)
- guide and limit movement of spine
- -What is the leaf-like fold of synovium that encloses fat, collagen, and blood vessels. It projects up to 5mm into the joint cavity of the z-joints.
- What is the function of the fibro-adipose meniscoid of the z-joints?
-Fibro-adipose meniscoid
Transmits loads and protects articular cartilage that would otherwise be exposed during motion.
-Is the fibro-adipose meniscoid of the z-joints innervated?
Yes, highly innervated
Can we feel pain in the vertebral disc?
Only when it gets to the outer layers where the sinuvertebral nerve is located.
Where are the joints of Luschka located?
Between the uncinate process of vertebrae below and inferolateral border of superior vertebrae.
What type of joint is the joint of Luschka?
synovial
The multifidi are important in cervical spine ________.
stabilization
What are the 4 suboccipital muscles?
- Obliquus Capitis Inferior
- Obliquus Capitis Superior
- Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
- Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
The scalenes can act to ________ the lordotic curve of the cervical spine when the longus colli isn’t active.
increase
What are the 3 parts of the cruciate ligament?
- Transverse
- Transverso-occipital
- Transverso-axial
What movement does the cruciate ligament check?
cervical flexion
The alar ligaments go from the _____ to the occipital condyles and limit C1-C2 ________.
- dens
- rotation
The apical ligament goes from the apex of the dens to the anterior ________________.
foramen magnum
The tectoral membrane goes from the posterior body of ____ to above foramen magnum.
C2
The posterior longitudinal ligament blends with the tectoral membrane and spans from the posterior body of C2 to the ______.
sacrum
The ________________ ligament blends with the anterior bodies and anulus/end-plate.
ALL (anterior longitudinal ligament)
The ligamenta flava connects adjacent _________ and check cervical ________.
- laminae
- flexion
The ligamentum nuchae is continuous with the ____________ ligament.
supraspinous
What are the clinical implications of compression of nerve roots PRIOR to convergence?
We could have possible sensory OR motor impairment
The brachial plexus passes between the _______ and ________ scalene muscles. The _________ sheath surrounds the plexus. The cords pass deep to the clavicle and pec minor.
- anterior and middle
- axillary
What are some reasons for differing normative values for the c-spine?
- differences in studied populations
- differences in measurement tools
- confusion between PROM vs. AROM
