Upper C-spine Flashcards
What are important anatomical structures of the C1?
Anterior and posterior arches connected by lateral mass
Posterior aspect of anterior arch contains articular cartilage fro odontoid process
Lateral mass: superior concave and inferior convex articular facets
What are anatomical structures of C2?
Articulation of dens with C1
Articulation of C2 with C1 via superior and inferior facets
Where does rotation in upper C spine come from?
50% of rotation comes from AA joint because of: slopeness of facets, absence of discs, and biconvexity of AA joint
What are the ligaments of atlas to occiput?
ALL turns into AAO membrane
Lig flavum turns into PAO membrane
What are ligaments of axis to occiput?
PLL turns into tectorial membrane
What are ligaments of atlas to axis (AA joint)?
transverse ligament: passes behind dens, stabilizing dens against atlas, controls ant-post movement of AA joint
What happens if transverse ligament is injured?
dens will go back into the cord, and will have reproduction of cord symptoms
3mm motion is okay, 8-10 mm before you feel cord compression
What are ligaments of axis to occiput?
Alar ligament: resists flexion, contralateral SB, and contralateral rotation; tested in neutral, CV flex, and CV ext
What are the posterior muscles of the neck?
Rectus capitis posterior major
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Superior oblique
Inferior oblique
What is O,I, A of rectus capitis posterior major?
C2 SP to lateral aspect of nuchal line; bilaterally extends head, unilateral ipsilateral SB and rot
What is O, I, A of rectus capitis posterior minor?
C1 to medial aspect of nuchal line; extends head
What is O, I, A of superior oblique?
C1 TP to lateral aspect of nuchal line; bilaterally extends head, unilateral ipsilateral SB and contralateral rot
What is O, I, A of inferior oblique?
C2 SP to C1 TP; ipsilateral rotation
What are anterior neck muscles?
rectus capitis anterior
rectus capitis lateralis
longus capitis
longus colli
What is O, I, A of rectus capitis anterior?
lateral mass of C1 to base of the occiput; head flexion
What is O, I, A of rectus capitis lateralis?
C1 TP to jugular process; ipsilateral SB of head
What is O, I, A of longus capitis and longus colli?
Segmental attachment, helps with anterior sagittal rotation that goes with flexion Important for postural control Eccentric control when extending head Injured during MVA longus colli: T3-C1
What nerves innervate the upper cervical muscles?
Dorsal and ventral rami of C1-C3 supplies all structures: muscles, OA AA and C2-3 Z joint, all ligaments, and vertebral arteries
What are biomechanics of upper C spine flexion?
OA: convex occipital condyles glide post on concave atlas
AA: C1 moves inferiorly on C2; C2 glides forward on C3
What are biomechanics of upper C spine extension>?
OA: convex occipital condyles glide anteriorly on concave atlas
AA: atlas moves superiorly; C2 moves backwards on C3
What are biomechanics of upper C spine rotation?
OA: ipsilateral condyle glides posteriorly
AA: ipsilateral moves posteriorly; contralateral facet moves anteriorly; atlas translates to opposite side
What are biomechanics of upper C spine side bend?
OA: ipsilateral condyle glides anteriorly
What are osteokinematics of OA and AA joint?
OA: primary flex/ext motion
AA: primary rotation motion
What are the coupled movements of the upper C spine?
SB and rot occurs in opposite direction