Suboccipital Triangle Joints of Head/Neck Flashcards
What does the occipital bone articulate with?
Occipital condyles
What does the Atlas articulate with (5 structures)?
Posterior tubercles Posterior arch Anterior arch Transverse process with foramina Lateral masses: -Articulation with occipital condyles -Articulation with axis
What does the axis articulate with (3 structures)?
Dens (odontoid process)
Spinous process
Transverse processes with foramina
What are the 4 ligaments of the vertebral column?
Anterior longitudinal ligament Posterior longitudinal ligament Ligamentum flavum Ligamentum nuchae (Supraspinous + interspinous ligaments)
Where are the 3 synovial joints between the cervical and craniovertebral joints? Is there an intervertebral disc present?
Between the dens and the anterior arch of the atlas
Between the lateral masses of atlas and axis (x2)
There is no intervertebral disc
What are the 4 ligaments that hold the cervical and craniovertebral joints?
Apical ligament
Alar ligaments
Cruciate ligaments
Tectorial membrane
What are the 4 suboccipital triangle muscles? Describe each of their functions.
Obliquus capitis superior- Weak extensor or the neck
Obliquus capitis inferior- Strong rotator of atlas
Rectus capitis posterior major- Extension of vertebral column
Rectus capitis posterior minor- Extension of vertebral column
What makes up the floor of the suboccipital triangle?
Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
What makes up the roof of the suboccipital triangle?
Semispinalis capitis muscle
What are the 4 contents of the suboccipital triangle?
Suboccipital nerve
Greater occipital nerve
Third occipital nerve
Vertebral artery
What is the suboccipital nerve and what does it lack and what is it used for?
Dorsal ramus of C1
No sensory function and no dorsal root
Motor to muscles of suboccipital triangle
What is the greater occipital nerve and what is it used for?
Dorsal ramus of C2
Sensory to the back of the skull
What is the third occipital nerve?
Dorsal ramus of C3
