The Cervical And Thoracic Spine Flashcards
How many cervical vertebrae are there? Which ones are atypical and which ones are typical
7
Atypical are C1, C2 and C7
Typical are C3-C6
What are the key characteristics of typical cervical vertebrae
Body that is small and broad from side to side
Large triangular vertebral foramen
Bifid spinous process
Transverse foramen in the transverse process ( for vertebral artery,vein and sympathetic plexus)
Articular facets orientated in coronal plane
what is C1 called and what does it consist of
atlas
anterior and posterior arch connected by two lateral masses
superior articular facets articulate with occipital condyles of the skull
inferior articular facets articulate with superior facets of c2 vertebra
which joint permits nodding of the head
Atlanta-occipital joint (between occipital of skull and the atlas vertebra)
also contributes to 50% of total range flexion and extension of the head and neck
what is the Atlanta-axial joint responsible for
50% total rotation of head and neck
what is c2 known as
axis
where is the odontoid process and what are its other names
also known as dens or odontoid peg
on c2
projects vertically upwards from the body of the axis
how is the dens held in place and why
by transverse ligament of atlas and acts as a pivot joint
prevents horizontal displacement of the atlas on the axial
what is atlantoaxial instability
excessive movement between c1 and c2
what is c7 called and name some features
vertebra prominens
longest spinous process which is not bifid
foramen transversarium is small and only transmits the accessory vertebral veins
how do the thoracic and lumbar spinal nerve roots exit the spinal cord
through spinal canal
exit below their respectively named vertebra
how do spinal nerve exit in the cervical region
above its respectively named vertebral body until c7/T1 junction as the C8 nerve root is the one exiting between them.
what is the ligamentum nuchae (nuchal ligament) and what are its roles
thickening of the supraspinous ligament
maintain secondary curvature of cervical spine
assist cervical spine to support weight of the head
function and position of anterior longitudinal ligament
from tubercle of atlas to sacrum
prevents hyperextension of vertebral column
position of posterior longitudinal ligament
runs posterior to vertebral bodies from axis to sacral canal
what movement does cervical spine allow
nodding of head-50% of flexion and extension of Atlanto-occipital joint and rest by facet joints between cervical vertebrae
rotation (shaking head side to side )- 50% Atlanta-axial joint and the rest is facet joints
45 degree lateral flexion
how many thoracic vertebrae are there
12
key characteristics of thoracic vertebrae
medium sized heart shaped vertebral bodies
small and circular vertebral foramen
transverse processes that have transverse costal facets to articulate with ribs
long spinous process
why does the thoracic spine have limited flexibility compared to cervical and lumbar spine
because the rib cage is connected to each segment of the thoracic spine
which vertebrae in the thoracic spine are atypical and what is atypical about them
T1- superior costal facet is not a demi facet but a whole facet
T9 & T10- whole costal facets articulate with then ribs
T11 &T12- whole costal facet located on pedicles
movements of thoracic spine
lateral flexion and rotation
no flexion or extension
what is cervical spondylosis
chronic degenerative OA affecting intervertebral joints in cervical spine
narrowing of intervertebral foramina can put pressure on spinal nerves leading to radiculopathy. symptoms : paraesthesia,pain, motor weakness
narrowing of spinal canal may put pressure on spinal cord leading to myelopathy (muscle weakness, gait, loss of balance , loss of bowel and bladder control)
what is Jefferson’s fracture
fracture of ant and post arches of atlas.
mechanism of injury is axial loading (diving into shallow water , falling from playground equipment)
c1 vertebra burns open like polo
causes likelihood of impingement on spinal cord
typically causes pain but no neurological signs
however vdamge to arteries at the base of the skull can lead to neurological problems like ataxia, stroke , Horner’s syndrome
