Musculo Skeletal Anatomy - Week 2 - Osteology and ligaments of the Cervical spine Flashcards
What are the typical vertebrae of the cervical region?
C3, C4, C5, C6.
*The body is small, longer horizontally
than antero- posteriorly
* Spinous processes is short and bifid
* The transverse processes has an oval
transverse foramen
* The vertebral foramen is large &
triangular to accommodate the
cervical enlargement of the spinal
cord.
What makes C1 an atypical vertebrae?
C1 has no vertebral body and no spinous process.
What makes C2 an atypical vertebrae?
C2 has dens.
C2 has an anterior facet for articulation with anterior arch of the atlas and a posterior groove for the articulation with the transverse ligament.
C2 has a large, elongated and bifid spinous process.
What makes C7 an atypical vertebrae?
C7 has the longest spinous process and a non bifid spinous process.
C7 does not transmit the vertebral artery.
What are the features of a typical cervical vertebrae?
Vertebral body: size slightly increases from C2 to C7.
Uncinate process:
UP give the upper surface of the vertebra concave shape in the frontal plane.
Transverse processes:
Unique feature of transverse foramen
houses the vertebral artery, vein and
venous plexus.
Spinous process:
Short and slender extend horizontally and have a bifid tip.
Vertebral foramen:
Relatively large and triangular to
accommodate the enlargement of the
spinal cord.
What are the 7 Craniovertebral joints?
- Anterior atlantoaxial membrane
- Posterior atlantoaxial membrane
- Alar ligaments
- Transverse ligament of atlas
- Cruciate ligament of atlas
- Tectorial membrane
- Apical ligament
What are the articulation/s of the Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane?
a superior continuation of the anterior
longitudinal ligament
What are the articulation/s of the Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane? and what does it prevent?
Corresponds superiorly with the
ligamentum flavum.
Prevent hyperflexion of the atlas.
What are the articulation/s of the Alar ligament?
Extends from the sides of the
dens (C2) to the occipital condyles.
What are the articulation/s of the Transverse Atlantal ligament?
Stretches across the ring of the
atlas, holding the odontoid process
(dens) of the axis in place
What are the articulation/s of the Cruciate ligament
of the Atlas?
Connects the axis, atlas to the occipital
bone of the skull.
What are the articulation/s of the Tectorial Membrane?
Originates from the posterior vertebral body of
the C2, covers the dens and its
cruciate ligament and inserts at the
anterior rim of the foramen
magnum
What are the articulation/s of the Apical ligament of the Dens?
Connects the tip of the dens to the
anterior margin of the foramen
magnum.
What are the articulation/s of Ligamentum Nuchae?
A continuation of the supraspinous
ligament in the cervical spine.
