The Cervical Spine and other Associated Structures Flashcards
Which vertebrae make up the upper and lower cervical spine?
C1, C2 = upper
C3-C7 = lower
What is the C1 vertebrae called?
The Atlas
What is the C2 vertebrae called?
The Axis
What is the name of the C7 Spinous Process?
Vertebra Prominens
What feature do the vertebrae in the C spine have the provide increased stability ?
Uncinate Process
aka Uncovertebral Joints
Explain the function of the uncovertebral joints in the c spine.
Upward bony projections that articulate with the next higher vertebrae. These joints provide stability in the cervical spine.
Flexion /Extension of the head on neck comes from which joint? Atlanto-occipital or Atlanto-Axial?
Atlanto-occipital
Rotation of the head on neck comes from which of the following joints? Atlanto-occipital or Atlanto-Axial?
Atlanto-Axial
What does the Transverse Ligament of the atlas do?
Holds the dens of the C2 against the anterior arch of the C1.
What Ligament is in charge of holding the dens of the C2 against the Anterior arch of the C1?
The Transverse Ligament of the Atlas
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Attach from where to where? and keeps what movement in check?
Travels/ is anchored to the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and IVDs from Sacrum to C2.
Checks hyperflexion of the spine
Name the Ligament that runs down the posterior aspects of the vertebral bodies and IVDs from C2 ro sacrum. What movement does it keep in check?
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)
stops Hyperflexion of the spine.
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament ( ALL) attaches from where to where? And keep what movement in check?
Travels/ is anchored to the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and IVDs from sacrum to occiput.
stops Hyperextension of the spine
What Ligament travels/ is anchored to the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies and IVDs from sacrum to occiput and what movement does it keep in check?
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
Stops Hyperextension of the spine
Other then stopping hyperextension of the spine what other job does the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament have?
Stabilizes intervertebral Joints
What are the orientation of the facet joints at each section of the spine. C,T,L?
C= Oblique (higher anteriorly) T= More in the frontal plane L= more in the sagittal plane
What are 3 factors that affect the ROM of the spine?
Size and shape of IVDs
Angle of the facet joints
Laxity of ligament/joint capsules
The Ligamenta Flava attaches from where to where ? and does what job?
Lamina to lamina from sacrum up to C1
Helps to preserve normal curves of the spine and helps to return the spine to normal position after flexion.
What Ligament travels between the lamina of the vertebraes and helps preserve the normal curve of the spine? As well as helps the spine return to it’s normal position after flexion?
Ligamentum Flava
The Interspinous ligaments attaches between what structures of the spine and limits what action?
Attaches between the SP’s of the spine and helps to limit flexion.
The ______ Ligament attaches between the SP’s of the spine and helps to limit flexion.
The interspinous ligaments
The supraspinous ligaments attach where and limit what action?
Posteriorly along the tips of the SP’s from C7 to sacrum
limits flexion
The Ligamentum Nuchae attaches from what to what ?
From C7 to the back of the skull
The ______ runs from C7 to the back of the skull and is generally a thickening of the interspinous. supraspinous ligaments.
The Ligamentum Nuchae
