Lecture 7

Question 1

What are features of typical cervical vertebrae?

C3-C6

Answer 1

Foramen transversarium.
Gutter shaped transverse processes: protect the spinal nerves from being stretched/torn during movement.
Large vertebral arch and foramen - spinal cord is largest in this region.
Small vertebral body: least amount of weight to bear.
Bifid spinous and transverse processes: increases surface area for muscle attachment.
Uncinate processes - superior surface is concave.

Question 2

What are the atypical cervical vertebrae?

Answer 2

C7 Vertebra prominens

C1 Atlas

C2 Axis

Question 3

What are the features of C7?

Answer 3

Transitional vertebrae.
Articular facets in the coronal plane.
Long spinous process that isn’t bifid - the large bump you can feel at the base of your neck.
No artery goes through the foramen transversarium.

Question 4

What are the features of C1?

Answer 4

Anterior tubule: where the ALL attaches.
Posterior tubule: where muscles attach.
Ring shape.
No vertebral body.
Foramen transversarium.
Vertebral artery runs posteriorly across posterior arch and up foramen magnum into skull.
Wide transverse processes.
Concave facets for occipital condyles on base of skull to sit on (rocking movement).

Question 5

What are the features of C2?

Answer 5

Long spinous process.
The first bump you can feel at the base of the neck.
Flat superior articular facets allow C1 to rotate on.
Ondontoid process/dens (pivot point): sit in anterior arch

Question 6

What are the three synovial joints between C1 and C2?

Answer 6

Dens and anterior arch

2x inferior surface of lateral masses sit on flat facets (like shoulders)

Question 7

What does movement of the cervical spine depend on?

Answer 7

Height of intervertebral discs.
Laxity of joint capsules.
Muscles and ligaments present to move and stabilise.
Orientation of facets.
Presence of any other surrounding structures.

Question 8

What nerve is affected by a C5-C6 IVD herniation?

Answer 8

The nerve leaving at that level.

C6 nerve.

Question 9

What nerve is affected by a L4-L5 IVD herniation?

Answer 9

The L5 nerve

Question 10

What is the hyoid bone?

Answer 10

Small horse shoe shaped bone.
Doesn't articulate with any bones.
Held by muscles and ligaments.
Extends off larynx and trachea.
Moves when we swallow.

Question 11

What are the possible consequences of cervical ribs?

Answer 11

Thoracic outlet syndrome - one cause.
Can be full bony or partial bony.

Can affect the subclavian artery:
Tingling, numbness, different temperature in hand, weakness of muscle.

Can affect the brachial plexus:
Elevates or puts traction on the lower nerve trunk, shooting/stabbing pain in arms or hands.

Question 12

What is the platysma muscle?

Answer 12

Muscle of facial expression.

Cranial nerve 7

Question 13

What are the cervical fascia?

Answer 13

Carotid sheath: vagus nerve and common carotid.

Pretracheal: surrounds oesophagus, trachea and thyroid gland, deep.

Prevertebral: muscles that act in spine and vertebrae, deep.

Investing: collar splits, deep.

Subcutaneous: contains fat, lymph nodes, platysma, subcutaneous nerves.

Question 14

What are the superficial neck muscles?

Answer 14

Sternocleidomastoid

Trapezius

Question 15

What are the anterior (strap) muscles?

Answer 15

Attached to hyoid, not really movement of the neck.

Suprahyoid muscles.

Infrahyoid muscles.

Question 16

What are the prevertebral an lateral vertebral muscles?

Answer 16

Lateral
Scalene muscles:
Anterior
Medial
Posterior
Attach to transverse processes to 1st and 2nd rib.

Prevertebral:

Question 17

What are the functions of the cervical spine?

Answer 17

Support and move the head - balance.
Protect the spinal cord.
Transmit vertebral artery.
Passage of spinal nerve.