Lecture Exam 2 Flashcards
Which mammals do not have seven cervical vertebrae?
the two toed sloth, manatee, ant bear, and the three toed sloth
Which mammals have more than seven cervical vertebrae?
ant bear, three-toed sloth
Which mammals have less than seven cervical vertebrae?
two-toed sloth, manatee
What is the number of vertebrae in the typical cervical spine?
seven segments
Which vertebrae are typical cervicals?
C3-C6
Which vertebrae are atypical cervicals?
C1, C2, C7
What is the shape of the typical cervical vertebral body from the cranial view?
rectangular
What is the effect of aging on the cervical vertebral body?
it diminishes the overall height of the vertebral body
What is the appearance of the typical cervical vertebral body from the lateral view?
posterior height is greater than anterior height by a few millimeters
What would be the direction of the cervical curve based on osseous features?
posterior or kyphotic
What accounts for the direction of the typical cervical curve?
the intervertebral disc height
What is the direction of the typical cervical curve?
anterior or lordotic
Which vertebral couples will demonstrate a decrease in intervertebral disc height?
C2/C3 down to C4/C5
At which vertebral couple will the cervical curve again increase intervertebral height?
C5/C6
What are the names of the lateral modification of the superior epiphyseal rim?
uncinate process, unciform process, uncovertebral process, uncus or lateral lip
What are the modifications of the inferior epiphyseal rim of a typical cervical?
anterior lip, posterior lip, right and left lateral grooves
What is the joint classification for the anterior lip-anterior longitudinal ligament-anterior anterior groove articulation?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
What is the joint classification for the posterior lip-posterior longitudinal ligament-posterior groove articulation?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
What is the joint classification for the uncinate process-lateral groove articulation?
modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis sellar)
What is the joint classification for the spongy bone-intervertebral disc articulation?
cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis
How many joints are present on the upper surface of a typical cervical vertebral body?
five
What joint surfaces are present on the lower surface of the vertebral body of a typical cervical?
anterior lip, right lateral groove, left lateral groove, posterior lip and inferior spongy bone surface
How many joints are present on the lower surface of a typical cervical vertebral body?
five
How many total joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of a typical cervical?
ten
What is the name given to the uncinate process-lateral groove articulation?
joint of Luschka or uncovertebral joint
The joint of Luschka is formed from what surfaces?
the uncinate process and lateral groove
How many total synovial joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of a typical cervical?
four
What is the functional significance of the joint of Luschka?
it appears to stabilize the intervertebral disc while accommodating flexion - extension - and requiring coupled motion (axial rotation with lateral bending) in the cervical spine
What muscle attaches to the typical cervical vertebral body?
the longus colli muscle
What is the orientation and angulation of the pedicle of a typical cervical?
posterolateral, 45 degrees
In the vertebral couple, which cervical vertebral body will contribute more toward the height of the intervertebral foramen?
neither, both contribute equally to the intervertebral foramen height
What is the direction of projection of the cervical lamina?
posteromedially
What ligament attaches to the lamina of a typical cervical?
ligamentum flavum
What joint classification will be associated with the ligamentum flavum and its attachment?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
Ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the attachment on the lamina will result in what feature?
Para-articular processes
Ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the attachment site on the lamina will be associated with which classification of bone?
accessory bone
Ossification within the length of the ligamentum flavum will be associated with which classification of bone?
heterotopic bone
What is the outline of the vertebral foramen of a typical cervical vertebra?
heart-shaped or triangular
Which is the greatest diameter of the vertebral foramen of typical cervicals?
Transverse
The greatest transverse diameter of the typical cervical vertebra occurs at ______?
C6
The greatest frequency of osteophytes associated with the vertebral body occurs at which typical cervical vertebral couple?
C5/C6
What osseous parts form the typical cervical vertebra transverse process?
costal element, anterior tubercle, costotransverse bar, posterior tubercle, true transverse process
What muscles will attach to the anterior tubercle of a typical cervical vertebra?
anterior scalene, longus capitis, longus colli, anterior intertransversarii
What muscles may attach to the posterior tubercle of a typical cervical vertebra?
splenius cervicis, iliocostalis cervicis, longissimus cervicis, levator scapula, middle scalene, posterior scalene, rotators and posterior intertranscersarii
What muscles will attach to the costotransverse bar?
middle scalene and posterior intertransversarii
What produces the primary tension on the transverse process that will cause remodeling in the anterolateral and inferior directions?
cervical spinal nerves as they are directed anterolaterally and inferiorly to form the cervical brachial plexuses
What is the name given to the superior margin of the costotransverse bar?
sulcus for the ventral primary ramus of a cervical spinal nerve
What is the orientation and angulation of a typical cervical transverse process?
60 degrees anterolaterally (from midsagittal plane), 15 degrees inferiorly (from the horizontal plane)
What is the name given to the modification of the anterior tubercle of the C6 transverse process?
the carotid tuberlce
What will occupy the typical cervical vertebra transverse foramen?
the vertebral artery, vertebral venous plexus and postganglionic sympathetic motor nerve fibers
What is the name given to the surface feature observed between the ends of the articular pillar?
the groove/sulcus for the dorsal ramus of a cervical spinal nerve
What is the classic angulation of typical cervical articular facets?
40 to 45 degrees from the coronal plane
Recent work suggests what angulation for typical cervical articular facets?
55 to 60 degress
What is the orientation of the typical cervical superior articular facet?
backward, upward, medial (BUM)
What is the orientation of the typical cervical inferior articular facet?
forward, lateral, downward (FoLD)
What muscles will attach to typical cervical articular processes?
the longissimus capitis, longissimus cervicis, semispinalis capitis, semispinalis capitis, multifidus, and rotators
What muscles will bend the capsular ligament of cervical zygapophyses?
the semispinalis capitis, multifidus, and rotator longus
What is the joint classification for the typical cervical zygapophysis?
synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia) joint
What modifications of the synovial joint are observed in the cervical spine?
meniscoidal folds
What function will meniscoidal folds provide in cervical zygapophyses?
they are assumed to distribute pressure across the joint surface
The greatest range of flexion - extension along the typical cervical vertebrae occurs at which vertebral couple?
typically C5/C6
What motions are coupled in the cervical spine?
lateral bending and axial rotation
Ranges of coupled motion among the typical cervical vertebrae will be similar for what cervical vertebral couples?
the C2/C3, C3/C4, C4,C5, vertebral couples
Ranges of motion among the typical cervical vertebrae will begin to decrease at what cervical vertebral couple?
the C5/C6 vertebral couple
What is the usual condition for the caucasian typical cervical spinous process?
they are bifid
What is the condition for the African - American typical cervical spinous process?
they are non - bifid
What muscles may attach to the typical cervical spinous process?
the spinalis cervicis, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis thoracis, multifidus, rotators and interspinalis
What ligament will attach to the typical cervical spinous process?
the interspinous ligament and ligamentum nuchae
What will form the anterior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?
the lateral groove and vertebral body of the segment above, the uncinate process and vertebral body of the segment below, the intervertebral disc and the posterior longitudinal ligament
What will form the posterior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?
the inferior articular process (post-zygapophysis), the superior articular process (pre-zygapophysis), the capsular ligament and the ligamentum flavum
What will form the superior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?
the inferior vertebral notch or inferior vertebral incisure
What will form the inferior boundary of a typical cervical intervertebral foramen?
the superior vertebral notch or superior vertebral incisure
What is the unique anterior boundary of the intervertebral foramen for the C4 spinal nerve?
the lateral groove of C3 and uncinate process of C4 forming the joint of Luschka
What is the name of the first cervical vertebra?
atlas
What features are lacking at C1?
vertebral body, pedicles, a spinous process and the intervertebral disc
What is thought to represent the pedicle at C1?
the anterior arch
What osseous modification is observed to the front of the anterior arch of C1?
the anterior tubercle
What muscle attaches to the anterior arch of C1?
longus colli
What ligament will attach to the anterior arch of C1?
the anterior longitudinal, anterior atlanto-occipital and anterior atlanto-axial ligaments
What is observed on the back of the anterior arch of C1?
the fovea dentis
What joint classifications are observed on the anterior arch of C1?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint and synovial pivot (diarthrosis trochoid) joint
What is the morphology of the superior articular facet of C1?
they are elliptical, closer together in front and often demonstrate an elevation subdividing the facet surface into two separate surfaces
What is the orientation of the superior articular facet of C1?
backward, upward, and medial (BUM)
What is the joint classification of the atlanto-occipital zygapophysis?
synovial (diarthrosis) ellipsoidal joint
What are the morphological characteristics of the inferior articular facet of C1?
asymmetrical, slightly concave or flattened
What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of C1?
backward, medial, downward (BMD)
What is the joint classification of the atlanto-axial zygapophysis?
synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia) joint
What is the name of the rounded elevation on the medial aspect of the lateral mass of C1?
tubercle for the transverse atlantal ligament
What muscles attach to the lateral mass of C1?
levator scapula, splenius cervicis and rectus capitis anterior
What part of C1 represents the spinous process?
posterior tubercle of the posterior arch
What is the distance from the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch to the skin in each gender?
males: about fifty millimeters; females: about thirty-seven millimeters
What attaches to the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch of C1?
rectus capitis posterior minor muscle and ligamentum nuchae
What superior surface modifications of the posterior arch of C1 are present?
groove/sulcus for the vertebral artery and arcuate rim
What attaches to the arcuate rim of C1?
the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament
Ossification of the free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament results in which atypical bone classification?
accessory bone
What is the earliest age of development where ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament was observed?
about age 7 years old
Based on the amount of ossification of the anterior free margin the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament what structures will form?
an incomplete ponticulus posticus or a complete ponticulus posticus
What names are given to the opening formed by the ponticulus posticus?
arcuate foramen or retroarticular canal
Ponticulus posticus has been observed in what ethnic populations?
all ethnic populations studied thus far
What is the general range of incidence of ponticulus posticus in the populations studied?
1-4%
What is the gender bias now associated with ponticulus posticus?
female
What is the incidence of a complete ponticulus posticus versus an incomplete ponticulus posticus?
the incidence of a complete ponticulus posticus is about fifteen percent; the incidence of an incomplete ponticulus posticus may be as high as forty-one percent
What are the osseous parts of the transverse process of C1?
costal element posterior tubercle, true transverse process
What muscles attach to the transverse process of C1?
rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, middle scalene, levator scapula, splenius cervicis, obliquus capitis superior, obliquus capitis inferior and intertransversarii muscles
What suboccipital muscles are known to have fascial projections attaching to the spinal dura?
rectus capitis posterior minor, rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis inferior
What are the connections between suboccipital muscles and the spinal dura called?
myodural bridges
What are the lateral bridges of atlas connected to?
the lateral mass and the transverse process of atlas
What forms of the lateral bridges are observed in the population?
incomplete lateral bridges and complete lateral bridges
What opening is identified when a complete lateral bridge is formed?
the retrotransverse foramen
What are the possible contents of the retrotransverse foramen?
the vertebral artery, a branch from the suboccipital nerve and veins communicating with the venous sinuses of the neck
Which of the ponticles (bridges) of atlas is most numerous?
ponticulus posticus
Which of the ponticles (bridges) of atlas is only observed in humans?
lateral bridges
What is observed in the transverse foramen of C1?
vertebral artery, vertebral venous plexus, postganglionic sympathetic motor nerve fibers
What is the gender variation for measurements of the transverse diameter of C1?
Males: 78 millimeters and females: 72 millimeters
What is the distance from the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of C1 to the skin for each gender?
a little over 30 millimeters for both males and females
How many synovial joint surfaces are observed at C1?
five
What names are given to C2?
axis or epistropheus
What synovial joint surfaces are observed at C1?
two superior articular facets, two inferior articular facets and the fovea dentis
What unique vertebral body modification is characteristic of C2?
the dens or odontoid process
How many joint surfaces are present on the odontoid process of C2?
five
What joint surfaces are present on the odontoid process of C2?
facet for fovea dentis, groove for transverse atlantal ligament, attachment sites for the alar ligaments, attachment site for the apical-dental ligament
What is the name/classification given to the odontoid process when the tip of the dens is directed posterior?
lordotic dens
What is the name/classification given to the odontoid process when the tip of the dens is directed anterior?
kyphotic dens
What joint surfaces are present at the inferior part of the vertebral body of C2?
anterior lip, posterior lip, right and left lateral grooves and cancellous bone
How many joints are formed by the inferior part of the vertebral body of C2?
five
How many joint surfaces are present at the vertebral body of C2?
ten
What joint classifications are present at the vertebral body of C2?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis, synovial pivot (diarthrosis trochoid), modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis sellar) and cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis
What ligament will represent the cranial continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
membrana tectoria
What ligament forms the anterior boundary for the spinal canal above C2?
membrana tectoria
What ligament forms the anterior boundary for the spinal canal below C2?
posterior longitudinal ligament
What is the location of the superior vertebral notch of C2?
on the lamina-pedicle junction
What attaches to the lamina of C2?
obliquus capitis inferior muscle, posterior atlanto-axial ligament, ligamentum flavum
What is the appearance of the superior articular facets of C2?
they are asymmetrical and slightly convex
What is the facet orientation of the superior articular facet of C2?
backward, upward, and lateral (BUL)
What is the orientation of the inferior articular facets of C2?
forward, lateral, and down (FoLD)
What muscle attaches to the articular processes of C2?
longissimus cervicis
What will be observed in the transverse foramen at C2?
vertebral artery, vertebral venous plexus, postganglionic sympathetic motor nerve fibers
What is the gender variation for the transverse diameter of C2?
Males: fifty-seven millimeters and Females: about fifty millimeters
What muscles attach to the transverse process at C2?
levator scapulae, middle scalene, splenius cervicis, longissimus cervicis and intertransversarii
What is the characteristic appearance of the C2 spinous process in humans?
bifid
What muscles attach to the spinous process of C2?
rectus capitis posterior major, obliquus capitis inferior, spinalis cervicis, semispinalis cervicis, multifidus, rotators and interspinalis muscles
What ligaments attach to the spinous process of C2?
ligamentum nuchae, interspinous ligaments
What names may be given to C7?
vertebra prominens and vertebral prominence
What is the name given to the topographical elevation observed at the base of the neck?
vertebral prominence
What name is given only to C7?
vertebra prominens
What is the segment and gender bias for vertebrae other than C7 becoming the vertebral prominence?
C6 is more common in females and T1 is more common in males
How many joint surfaces are present at the vertebral body of C7?
eight
What joint classifications are observed at the vertebral body of C7?
eight
What joint classifications are observed at the vertebral body of C7?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis, cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis and modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis sellar) joint
What muscle(s) attaches to the vertebral body of C7?
longus colli muscle
What features are typically present in the transverse foramen of C7?
vertebral venous plexus, postganglionic sympathetic fibers
What muscles attach to the transverse process of C7?
middle scalene, iliocostalis thoracis, longissimus cervicis, semispinalis capitis, rotators, intertransversarii and levator costarum brevis
What is the orientation of the superior articular facet of C7?
backward, upward, medial (BUM)
What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of C7?
forward, medial, downward (ForMeD)
What muscles will attach to the articular process of C7?
longissimus cervicis, longissimus capitis, semispinalis cervicis and multifidus
What muscles attach to the spinous process of C7?
trapezius, rhomboid minor, serratus posterior superior, splenius capitis, spinalis capitis, spinalis cervicis, semispinalis thoracis, multifidus, rotators and interspinalis
What ligaments attach to the spinous process of C7?
ligamentum nuchae and interspinous ligaments
The vertebral artery on which side is typically larger?
left vertebral artery
What is the gender bias regarding size of the vertebral artery?
men have larger vertebral arteries than women
Which side artery was tested during the course of the vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency exam?
the ipsilateral artery on the side of rotation
Typically, at what vertebral level will the vertebral artery first become located in the transverse foramen?
C6
At what location will the vertebral artery form its first compensatory loop?
the atlanto-axial interspace
At what location will the vertebral artery form its second compensatory loop?
the atlanto-occipital interspace
At what segments will the vertebral artery be firmly attached to the transverse foramen?
both C1 and C2
What is the purpose of the vertebral artery loops between C2, C1, and occiput?
the increased length will accommodate the greater rotation at these locations
What happens to the vertebral artery after it enters the subarachnoid space at C1?
the vertebral artery ascends along the medulla oblongata to the pontine-medullary junction where the right and left arteries unite to form the basilar artery
What forms the boundaries for the exit of the C1 nerve from the spinal canal?
occipital condyle, superior articular process of C1, capsular ligament, arcuate rim, groove for the vertebral artery, posterior atlanto-occipital ligament
What forms the anterior boundary for the C2 nerve exit from the spinal canal?
the inferior articular process of C1, superior articular process of C2, capsular ligament
What forms the posterior boundary for the C2 nerve exit from the spinal canal?
the posterior arch of C1, lamina of C2 and posterior atlanto-axial ligament
What forms the anterior boundary for the C3-C7 nerve exit from the spinal canal?
the vertebral bodies, intervertebral disc, posterior longitudinal ligament, uncinate process, lateral groove
What forms the boundary for the C8 nerve exit from the spinal canal?
the vertebral bodies of C7 and T1, intervertebral disc, posterior longitudinal ligament, capsular ligament of the costocentral joint, superior costal facet of T1 and articular surface of the first rib
How many synovial joints are identified for each cervical vertebra?
C1 = five, C2 = eight, C3-C6 = eight, C7 = six
How many joints are identified at the vertebral body of each cervical vertebra?
C1 = none, C2 = ten, C3-6 = ten, C7 = eight
What features allow discrimination between T2-T4 and T5-T8 segmental groups?
the vertebral body, transverse process, articular process and spinous process
What is the outline of the vertebral body of a typical thoracic from a superior view?
trianglular
What is the name given to the left side appearance of the vertebral body of T5-T8?
the aortic impression
What part of the vertebral body is most influenced by the aorta at T5-T8?
the left side superior and inferior epiphyseal rims
What is the height pattern of the typical thoracic vertebral body?
the posterior height is greater than the anterior height by one to two millimeters
What is the principle cause of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine?
the vertebral body height differences
In terms of the anterior-posterior curves of the vertebral column, what direction will the thoracic spine face?
posterior
What is another way of naming a posterior curve pattern?
kyphotic
What joint classifications are identified at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis, cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis and synovial plane (diarthrosis athrodia)
How many synovial joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
four
How many symphysis joints are formed with the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
two
How many joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
typically ten (fourteen if the costocentral stellate/radiate ligaments are included)
What is the name given to the joint formed between the vertebral body and rib?
costocentral joint
How many costocentral joints are formed at the vertebral body of a typical thoracic?
four
Which of the demi-facets on the vertebral body of a typical thoracic is larger?
the superior costal demi-facet
What feature will provide assistance in maintaining the stability of the intervertebral foramen in the typical thoracics?
the costocentral joint or ribs
What is the size relationship between the articulating surface of the head of the rib and the costal demi-facet surface?
the rib surface is greater than the costal demi-facet surface
Which muscle(s) is attached to the vertebral body of T2 or T3?
the longus colli
What is the angulation of the pedicle in the typical thoracic region?
ten to fifteen degrees posterolateral from the sagittal plane
Which x-ray view is used to see into the intervertebral foramen of a typical thoracic?
the lateral view
Which vertebral notch or incisure is said to be prominent?
the inferior vertebral notch or inferior vertebral incisure
What is the overlap of lamina called in the typical thoracic region?
shingling
In which plane will the size of the vertebral foramen of a typical thoracic be greatest?
the transverse plane, the vertebral transverse diameter
What is the distance between the transverse tubercles in the typical thoracic region?
from T2 each transverse diameter becomes shorter as the transverse processes angle more posterior