Lecture 26 - Cervical and Thoracic Spine Flashcards
Cervical spine is composed of
7 cervical vertebrae divided into upper (C0-C2) and lower (C3-C7) cervical spine
C0-C1 is called
Occiput-Atlas
How does the occiput-atlas articulate
Articulates with condyles of occiput and superior facets of atlas
T or F: Atlas lacks a vertebral body and spinous process
T
3 movements of occiput-atlas
1) extension (10-15 deg)
2) Side bending (8 degree)
3) Minimal rotation
C1-C2 is also called
Atlantoaxial
How are the facets of the atlantoaxial aligned
Horizontally
What 4 movements is atlantoaxial responsible for
- 50% cervical rotation
- 10 degrees of flexion/extension
- 45 degrees of rotation
- Little to no side bending
What allows for increased mobility of C3-C7 compared to thoracic and lumber spine
Zygapophyseal (facet joints) are angulated at 45 degrees to the vertical in sagittal plane
What are the 4 movements of C3-C7
- Flexion (64 deg)
- Extension (24 deg)
3) Side bending (40 deg)
4) Rotation (40 deg)
T or F: The cervical spine (C3-C7) are not victims of wear and tear due to increased motion
F, they are
What joints make up the C3-C7 and their function
- 2 zygapophyseal (facet) joints for rotation and side bending
- 2 uncinate (Van Luschka/uncovertebral) joints that prevent posterior translation and some bending. Also acts as gliding mechanism for flexion and extension
What 3 components make up the intervertebral disc
- Annulus fibrosis
- Nucleus Pulposis
- End-plate
The cervical spine is reinforced by
Uncovertebral joints for posterior-lateral stability and protection against disc herniation
What is unique to the cervical spine in regards to the vertebral artery?
There is a foramen in C1-C6 to allow for passage of vertebral artery vertically
What does the vertebral artery arise from and turn into?
Arises from subclavian artery and turns into basilar artery
Where does the alar craniovertebral ligaments attach to?
The dens and occipital condyles of the cranium
What is the pathway of the alar craniovertebral ligaments (arise from and goes to)?
Arises from odontoid process and passes superiorly and laterally to inside of foramen magnum
What does the transverse craniovertebral ligament cover and attach to?
Covers dens and attaches horizontally to C1
T or F the transverse ligament forms part of the cruciform ligament
T
What 2 ligaments are important for keeping the dens in close approximation to C1 and away from the spinal cord
- Alar ligament
- Cruciform Ligament
Where does the ligamentum nuchae craniovertebral ligament extend to and from
Extends from spinous process of C7 to external occipital protuberance