Radiographic Neck/Head

Question 1

Short area of bone that connects the lamina to the vertebral body to form the vertebral arch

Answer 1

pedicle

Question 2

the part of a vertebra located between the inferior and superior articular processes of the facet joint

Answer 2

pars interarticularis

Question 3

forms posterior part of vertebral arch

Answer 3

lamina

Question 4

Cervicothoracic junction is a common place for…

Answer 4

traumatic injury

Question 5

Four curvilinear lines to assess images of cervical vertebra

Answer 5

1) anterior vertebral line
2) posterior vertebral line
3) spinolaminar line
4) posterior spinous line

Question 6

Jefferson’s Fracture (mechanism of injury? nature of fracture? and other info)

Answer 6

Mechanism: Axial loading

Fracture of C1 usually involving both anterior/posterior arches. APOM view shows bilateral, lateral offset of the later margins of C1 relative to C2. Self decompressing. Usually not associated with neurologic deficits. Should be confirmed with CT.

Question 7

Hangman’s Fracture (mechanism of injury? nature of fracture? and other info)

Answer 7

Mechanism: High-velocity hyperextension injury

Most common fracture of C2 and of the cervical spine. Fracture of the pars of C2 bilaterally. Fracture separates posterior aspect of C2 from anterior aspect of C2 allowing forward displacement of the anterior aspect, leading to overall widening of the bony canal. Usually not associated with neurologic deficits. Confirm with sagittal view on CT.

Question 8

Flexion Teardrop Fracture (mechanism of injury? nature of fracture? and other info)

Answer 8

Mechanism: Hyper flexion-compression

Comes from anteroinferior aspect of vertebral body. Remainder of body displaced backward into spinal canal. Spinal cord compression from vertebral body displacement CAN cause neurological deficits/paralysis.