Neck

Question 1

are the cervical vertebrae built for weight bearing?

Answer 1

no, they are built for mobility

Question 2

the cervical spine is broken up into two parts. which cervical vertebrae make up the UPPER segment?

Answer 2

C1 - C3

Question 3

what is the upper segment of the cervical vertebrae responsible for?

Answer 3

capital movement

Question 4

the cervical spine is broken up into two parts. which cervical vertebrae make up the LOWER segment?

Answer 4

C4 - C7

Question 5

what is the lower segment of the cervical vertebrae responsible for?

Answer 5

lower cervical movement

Question 6

is there a disc between C1 - C2 like the other vertebrae?

Answer 6

no

Question 7

where does >25% (roughly 50%) of flexion and extension of the head come from?

Answer 7

the AO joint - atlanto-occipital

Question 8

where does the most rotation of the head come from per segment?

Answer 8

the AA joint - atlanto-axial

Question 9

what is the ligamentum nuchae?

Answer 9

a continuation of the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments that come together to form the nuchal ligament

Question 10

what type of joint is the AO joint?

Answer 10

diathrodial

Question 11

where does the most stability of the AO joint come from?

Answer 11

mostly by the joint shape and occipital muscles

Question 12

is the capsule of the AO joint loose or tight (just like the shoulder)?

Answer 12

the capsule itself is loose

Question 13

the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane is a continuation of what?

Answer 13

the anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 14

is the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane a continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Answer 14

no, it comes off the posterior arch of the atlas to the occiput

Question 15

what is the #1 injury when it comes to motor vehicle accidents?

Answer 15

whiplash

Question 16

what injury could occur if someone experiences whiplash?

Answer 16

a fractured odontoid process

Question 17

what happens if you fracture the odontoid process?

Answer 17

the AA joint becomes unstable, therefore there can be a translation of the head either forward or backward (usually forward)

Question 18

what are some major red flags when it comes to MVA injuries?

Answer 18

neck pain

numbness of tongue

trouble swallowing

Question 19

what holds the dens in its place?

Answer 19

the cruciform ligament

Question 20

what covers the cruciform ligament?

Answer 20

the tectorial membrane

Question 21

what does the tectorial membrane do?

Answer 21

resists longitudinal movement

Question 22

where does the tectorial membrane come from?

Answer 22

it is an extension of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 23

what creates the cruciform ligament?

Answer 23

the transverse ligament - arches across the ring of the atlas
the inferior/superior bands

forms a cross, hence the name cruciform ligament

Question 24

where are the alar ligaments?

Answer 24

from the odontoid process to the occiput at an angle

think in terms of a “V”, where the point of the V is the odontoid and the arches go to the occiput

Question 25

what do the alar ligaments allow?

Answer 25

side bending and rotation

Question 26

what is the most important aspect of the laryngeal skeleton?

Answer 26

it houses the vocal folds/cords

Question 27

what creates the upper thoracic area?

Answer 27

the clavicle

first rib

jugular notch

sternoclavicular joint

Question 28

which neck muscles are commonly associated with headaches?

Answer 28

suboccipital muscles

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major/Minor
Obliquus Capitus Superior/Inferior

Question 29

which side is the only side that has a brachiocephalic vein/artery?

Answer 29

right side

Question 30

why doesn’t the left side have a brachiocephalic vein/artery?

Answer 30

the subclavian and common carotid comes right off the aortic arch

Question 31

what do the internal carotids supply?

Answer 31

the internal structures of the skull (brain)

Question 32

what do the external carotids supply?

Answer 32

external to the skull (face)

Question 33

which nerve is the primary innervation to the parasympathetic system of the abdomen and thorax organs?

Answer 33

vagus nerve

Question 34

what does the vagus nerve do in stressful situations?

Answer 34

sends impulses/signals that causes your heart rate to shoot up and other Flight or Flight signals

Question 35

is the phrenic nerve a cranial nerve?

Answer 35

no

Question 36

what does the phrenic nerve do?

Answer 36

innervates the diaphragm

Question 37

what happens if the phrenic nerve gets compromised?

Answer 37

the diaphragm will not work, will stop breathing!

Question 38

what does the facial nerve do?

Answer 38

it is the motor nerve to muscles of expression

Question 39

what are the five branches of the facial nerve?

Answer 39

temporal
zygomatic
buccal
mandibular
cervical