Session 7 - Cervical And Thoracic Spine Flashcards
What are the 3 atypical cervical vertebrae?
C1 C2 and C7
What are the 4 typical cervical vertebrae?
C3-6
What are 5 characteristics of typical cervical vertebrae?
Small and broad body Large triangular vertebral foramen Bifid spinous process Transverse foramen in transverse process Articular facets 45 degrees to axial plane
What is the atlas?
C1
What are 3 key characteristics of the atlas?
Widest cervical vertebrae
No vertebral body
No spinous process
What are 2 joints on the atlas?
Atlanto-occipital joint
Atlanta-axial joint
What is the atlanta-occipital joint made of?
Occiput of skull and atlas vertebra
What is the atlanto-axial joint made up of?
Atlas and axis
What is the axis?
C2
What are 3 key characteristics of the axis?
Strongest cervical vertebra
Rugged lateral mass
Large spinous process
What is odontoid process?
Dens or otondoid pegs - vestigial remnant of body of C1 projects vertically upwards from body of axias
What is atlantoaxial instability?
Excessive movement between C1 and C2 vertebrae
What is vertebra prominens?
C7
What are 4 key features of C7?
Longest spinous process
Not bifid spinous process
Large transverse process
Small foramen transversarium
What does the foramen transversarium transmit?
Accessory vertebral veins
Do thoracic and lumbar spinal nerve roots exit below or above named vertebrae?
Below
Do cervical nerve roots exit above or below named vertebrae?
Above
During a lumbar paracentral disc herniation, which nerve root is compressed?
Traversing
During a cervical intervertebral disc prolapse, which nerve root is compressed?
Exiting
What is ligamentum nuchae?
Thickening of supraspinous ligament
What is the anterior longitudinal ligament?
Ligament running in front of vertebrae
What is the function of anterior longitudinal ligament?
Prevent hyperextension
What is the posterior longitudinal ligament?
Behind vertebral bodies
What is the function of posterior longitudinal ligament?
Prevents hyper flexion
What are the 6 possible movements of the cervical spine?
Extension Flexion Left lateral flexion Right lateral flexion Left rotation Right rotation
What are 6 key features of thoracic vertebrae?
Medium and heart shape body Small circular vertebral foramen Prominent transverse processes w costal facets Demi or whole facets Long spinous process Articular facets at 20 degrees
What are 2 movements of thoracic spine?
Lateral flexion and rotation
What are 5 key features of lumbar vertebra?
Large kidney shaped body Triangular shaped canal Large blunt transverse processes Short blunt spinous processes Facet joints orientated at 90 degrees
What is cervical spondylosis?
Chronic degenerative osteoarthritis affecting intervertebral joints in cervical spine
What are costal facets?
Facets articulating with heads of ribs
Why does radiculopathy occur due to cervical spondylosis?
Narrowing of intervertebral foramina puts pressure on spinal nerves
What are 2 symptoms of radiculopathy?
Dermatomal sensory symptoms and myotomal motor weakness
How does myelopathy occur due to cervical spondylosis?
Narrowing of spinal canal can put pressure on spinal cord, leading to compression and dysfunction of ascending and descending tracts within spinal cord