Upper Cervical Spine Flashcards
which joints are in the upper cervical spine?
AO (C1C2)
AA (C2C3)
primary function of the atlas
support head
atlas is lacking what landmarks that are typical of vertebrae
body
pedicle
lamina
spinous process
atlas superior articular facets
- convex or concave
- articulate with…
concave
articulate with occipital condyles
atlas inferior articular facets
-characteristics
flat/slightly ocncave
face inferiorly
sloped downward (medial to lateral) about 20 degrees
axis superior articular facet
- convex or concave
- orientation
slightly convex
oriented 20 degrees from horizontal plane
AO joint
- primary movement
- atlas always moves with…
primary movement
-flexion/extension
atlas always moves with head
ROM at AO joint
flexion: 5
extension: 10
axial rotation: negligible to 5
lateral flexion: 5
AA joint
- arthrokinematics
- primary motion
inferior atlantal facet is slightly concave and superior
axial facet is slightly convex
primary motion
-rotation
what is different about the AO joint in terms of orientation compared to the other cervical joints?
-why does it matter
oriented closer to horizontal plane
allows for greater rotation
AA joint median joint
- components
- what is the vertical axis for rotation
anterior arch of atlas
dens of axis
-vertical axis for rotation
ROM at AA joint
flexion: 5
extension: 10
axial rotation: 35-40
lateral flexion: negligible to 5
cervical flexion arthrokinematics
- AO joint
- AA joint
AO -convex on concave -occipital condyles roll forward -simultaneous slide in opposite direction AA -flat to slightly concave -atlas tilts forward
cervical extension arthrokinematics
- AO joint
- AA joint
AO -roll back -slide forward AA -atlas tilts backward
AO joint cervical rotation
-restricted motion due to…
large lateral masses
AA joint
-ideal for rotation because…
facet orientation
cervical lateral rotation arthrokinematics
- AO joint
- AA joint
AO -small amount of rolling -convex on concave -slide in opposite direction of the roll AA -spinal coupling -frontal and horizontal planes
spinal coupling definition
one motion around one plane is associated with another motion around a different plane
spinal coupling in upper cervical spine
occurs between lateral flexion and rotation
AO and AA joints spinal coupling
-lateral flexion is couples with contralateral rotation
-rotation is coupled with contralateral lateral flexion
AO and AA joints summary points (3)
AO joints: nodding action: flexion/extension greatest at this joint between the AO and AA joints
AA joints: 50% of rotation occurring at the cervical spine
coupled motion occurs in opposite direction
-L lateral flexion and R rotation
longus capatis and longus colli function
“dynamic” anterior longitudinal ligament
vertical stability
suboccipital muscles function
fine control over the AO and AA joints
alar ligament
- attachments
- function
attachments -lateral side of apex of dens -medial side of occipital condyles function -limits contralateral head rotation and contralateral lateral flexion
transverse ligament
- location
- functon
atlas to axis
function
-holds C1 in place on posterior side of
-w/out, C1 will slip forward
cruciform ligament ("atlantal cruciform" ligament
-containstransverse ligament
superior and inferior bands of the transverse ligament
tectorial membrane
- continuation of…
- C2 body ascends to…
- function
- injured with…
continuation of posterior longitudinal ligament C2 body ascends to the occipital bone functions -limits flexion of upper cervical spine -provides multidirectional stability injured in forced flexion injuries
what happens when injury occurs from a MVA
hyperextension exceeds cervical flexion, resulting in the anterior structures of the cervical region more prone to injury
