Revision - Different Regions of the Spine Flashcards

1
Q

How many vertebrae does the cervical spine consist of?

A

7

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2
Q

What name is given to C1 and C2?

A
  • C1 –> atlas
  • C2 –> axis
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3
Q

What are the 3 main features that distinguish cervical vertebrae from other vertebrae?

A
  1. Triangular vertebral foramen.
  2. Bifid spinous process
  3. Transverse foramina – holes in the transverse processes.
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4
Q

What does the transverse formamina allow the passage of?

A

They give passage to the vertebral artery, vein and sympathetic nerves.

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5
Q

What does the ‘atlas’ articulate with?

A

The atlas is the first cervical vertebra and articulates superiorly with the occiput of the head and inferiorly with C2.

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6
Q

How does the ‘atlas’ differ from other cervical vertebrae?

A
  • No vertebral body
  • No spinous process.
  • Has lateral masses which are connected by an anterior and posterior arch.
    • Each lateral mass contains a superior articular facet (for articulation with occipital condyles), and an inferior articular facet (for articulation with C2).
  • The anterior arch contains a facet for articulation with the dens of the axis.
    • This is secured by the transverse ligament of the atlas – which attaches to the lateral masses.
  • The posterior arch has a groove for the vertebral artery and C1 spinal nerve.
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7
Q

What connects the lateral masses of C1?

A

An anterior and posterior arch

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8
Q

The lateral masses of C1 contain a superior and an inferior articular facet.

  • What does the superior articular facet articulate with?
  • What does the inferior articular facet articulate with?
A
  • Superior articular facet articulates with the occipital condyles of the occiput
  • Inferior articular facet articulates with lateral masses of C2
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9
Q

How does C1 articualte with the dens of C2?

A

The anterior arch of C1 contains a facet for articulation with the dens of the axis. This is secured by the transverse ligament of the atlas (C1) which attaches to the lateral masses.

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10
Q

What does the anterior arch of C1 contain? The posterior arch?

A
  • Anterior arch –> contains a facet for articulation with the dens of the axis
  • Posterior arch –> contains a groove for the vertebral artery and C1 spinal nerve.
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11
Q

How is the axis (C2) easily identifiable?

A

Due to its dens (odontoid process) which extends superiorly from the anterior portion of the vertebra.

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12
Q

What does the dens articulate with? What movement does this allow?

A

The dens articulates with the anterior arch of the atlas, in doing so creating the medial atlanto-axial joint. This allows for rotation of the head independently of the torso.

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13
Q

How does the axis (C2) articulate with the atlas (C1)? What joints does this form?

A

The axis contains superior articular facets, which articulate with the inferior articular facets of the atlas to form the two lateral atlanto-axial joints.

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14
Q

What are the two different joints present throughout the entire vertebral column?

A
  • Between vertebral bodies –> adjacent vertebral bodies are joined by i_ntervertebral discs,_ made of fibrocartilage. This is a type of cartilaginous joint, known as a symphysis.
  • Between vertebral arches –> formed by the articulation of superior and inferior articular processes from adjacent vertebrae. It is a synovial type joint.
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15
Q

What joints are unique to the cervical spine?

A
  • Lateral atlanto-axial joints (x2)
  • Medial atlanto-axial joint (x1)
  • Atlanto-occipital joints (x2)
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16
Q

What forms the:

  1. Lateral atlanto-axial joints (x2)
  2. Medial atlanto-axial joint
  3. Atlanto-occipital joints?
A
  1. Lateral atlanto-axial joints (x2) – formed by the articulation between the inferior facets of the lateral masses of C1 and the superior facets of C2.
  2. Medial atlanto-axial joint (x1) - formed by the articulation of the dens of C2 with the articular facet of anterior arch of C1
  3. Atlanto-occipital joints (x2) - An articulation between the spine and the cranium between then superior facets of the lateral masses of C1 and the occipital condyles at the base of the cranium
17
Q

Which ligaments are present throughout the whole of the vertebral column? What do each of these ligaments connect?

A
  • Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments –> long ligaments that run the length of the vertebral column, covering the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs.
  • Ligamentum flavum –> connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae.
  • Interspinous ligament –> connects the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.
18
Q

Which ligament connects the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae?

A

Interspinous ligament

19
Q

which ligament connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae?

A

Ligamentum flavum

20
Q

Where is the transverse ligament of the atlas present? What does it connect?

A

Present in the cervical spine only. Connects the lateral masses of the atlas, and in doing so anchors the dens in place.

21
Q

The transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae provide a passageway by which the vertebral artery, vein and sympathetic nerves can pass. What is the only exception to this?

A

C7 - where the vertebral artery passes around the vertebra, instead of through the transverse foramen.

22
Q

How are the spinal nerves related to the cervical vertebrae? What is the exception to this?

A
  • Spinal nerves extend from above their respective vertebrae, through the intervertebral foramen created by the joints at the articular processes
  • C7 is an exception –> has a set of spinal nerves extending from above (C7) and below (C8) the vertebra
    • Therefore, there are eight spinal nerves associated with seven cervical vertebrae.
23
Q

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?

A

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