Typical Cervical (Quiz 2/ Test 2) Flashcards
What are the typical cervical vertebrae?
C3-C6
What are the characteristics of typical cervical vertebrae?
theres a lottttttttt
-small, irregular vertebrae
-3 foramina (neural foramen and L/R foramina transversarii)
-bifid SP
-uncinate processes
-body
-wide oval/rectangular cylinder
-inferior epiphysis
-concave anterior to posterior
-prominent anterior lip
-slight posterior lipping
What process is on the superior epiphysis of all typical cervical vertebrae?
test q
uncinate processes (prominent lateral lips)
note: there is slight posterior lipping
What do the superior epiphysis of typical cervical vertebrae form?
uncovertebral joints that articulate with the sides of the inferior epiphysis above (also known as joints of von Lushka)
What is found on the posterior surface of the typical cervical vertebrae?
basi-vertebral foramen or foramina
-exit for the basi-vertebral veins
-arteries enter through small “nutritive foramen”
What shape are the pedicles of typical cervical vertebrae?
short, horizontal cylinders of bone
Where do the L/R pedicles of typical cervical vertebrae project?
posterolaterally from the corners of the body
How do the superior and inferior pedicle notches of typical cervical vertebrae compare? What do they form?
they’re approx equal sizes
they form cervical IVFs
What shape is made within cervical IVFs?
test q
square with rounded corners (seen on cervical obliques only, ipsilaterally, BUT if its not visible then pt is subluxated)
What are the articular pillars/columns found in typical cervical vertebrae?
-2 lateral cylinders at the LPJ
-superior 1/3 is known as the pre-zygopophyses
-projects upward from LPJ
What do the superior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae cover?
entire top surface of the articular pillars (smooth, flat, round/oval, the middle is narrow and constricted)
Where do the superior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae face?
test q
posterosuperior, slightly medially
note: this is opposite of inferior articular surfaces
What do the superior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae articulate with?
the inferior articular surfaces above
What is found on the middle 1/3 of superior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae?
pars interarticularis
The pedicles on superior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae attach where?
anteromedially
The laminae on superior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae project where?
posteromedially
What is found on the inferior 1/3 of the superior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae?
post-zygopophyses
Where does the post-zygopophyses of superior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae project?
downward from the LPJs
What do the inferior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae cover?
the entire bottom surface of articular pillars (smooth, flat, round/oval)
Where do the inferior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae face?
test question
antero-inferior, slightly laterally
note: this is opposite of superior articular surfaces
What do the inferior articular surfaces of typical cervical vertebrae articulate with?
superior articular surfaces below
Articular pillars of typical cervical vertebrae assist in what?
weight-bearing
What are laminae of typical cervical vertebrae? Where do they project and meet? What do they form?
-long, thin, vertical plates of bone
-project posteromedially from the articular pillars
-meet/fuse in the midline (called the line of interlaminar fusion) at the spinous base
-forms the posterolateral walls of the neural foramen
What are spinous processes of typical cervical vertebrae? Where do they project and end?
-short, delicate process
-projects posterior, slightly inferior
-ends in bifid tip, 2 posterolateral “L/R distal spinous tubercles”
SPs of typical cervical vertebrae are hard to palpate where?
within lordotic curve
What is an SP anomaly for typical cervical vertebrae?
SP should be bifid, but for some people they are missing the bifid tip
this is called aplasia or non-ossification
Where do TPs of typical cervical vertebrae project?
anterolaterally
Anterior false costo-TPs is a thin vertical plate of bone on typical cervical vertebrae. It projects anterolaterally from the BODY. Where does it end?
anterior distal transverse tubercle
What are the anterior false costo TPs of typical cervical vertebrae homologous to?
a rib (costo= rib, TPs on typical cervical vertebrae are anterior/false/costo)
Where are carotid tubercles found?
on C6 anterior TPs
Posterior true TPs is a thin vertical plate of bone on typical cervical vertebrae. It projects anterolaterally from the ARTICULAR PILLAR. It is parallel to the anterior TPs. Where does posterior TP end?
posterior distal transverse tubercle
The TPs of typical cervical vertebrae have costo-transverse lamella. What is this?
-thin horizontal plate of bone
-connects the inferior tips of the anterior and posterior TPs distally
-forms a trough like floor to the TPs
-has a foramen transversarium (“hole in the transverse”, which is a large round hole through the floor of the TP)
TPs of typical cervical vertebrae align to form what?
L/R vertical canals
TPs of typical cervical vertebrae align to form L/R vertical canals. What do these canals contain?
-vertebral arteries (brain’s blood supply) which transports 40% of brain’s blood (carotid arteries carry 60%)
-vertebral arteries enter the foramina transversarii at C6 level and enter the skull through the foramen magnum
-spinal arteries and veins are local blood supply within canals
-nerve plexuses are also local blood supply within canals
-canals may be divided by calcified intra-foraminal ligaments
-neural foramen is large and appears as an apex posterior triangle in canal
What shape is the neural foramen in the cervical spine?
test q
large, apex posterior triangular
