Vertebrae Flashcards
Important features of cervical vertebrae
Small, round, flat body
Large foramen
SAF, transverse foramina, spinous process
Important features of C1
No body or spinous process- Posterior Arch
Anterior Arch
Elongated and curved Superior Articular Surface
Flat Inferior Articular Surface
Important features of C2
Rounded Superior Articular Facets
Dens (odontoid process)- extra superior projection
Another word for C1
Atlas
Another word for C2
Axis
Name the two joints associated with C1 and C2
Atlanto-axial Joint
Atlanto-occipital Joint
Describe the Atlanto-axial Joint
C1/C2
Rotation
Dens (odontoid process)
Describe the Atlanto-occipital Joint
C1/Occipital Bone/ occipital condyles
‘nodding’/ flexion and extension
Which ligament holds the dens into the anterior arch of the atlas?
Transverse ligament of atlas
Why is the transverse ligament of atlas one of the most important ligaments of the body?
Prevents anterior dislocation of atlas- C1 spinal cord compression
Important features of thoracic vertebrae
Heart shaped body
Flat PAF
Additional facets for ribs on transverse process and body
Long spinous process- angle down and more pointed
Small foreamen
Important features of lumbar vertebrae
Large kidney shaped body
Curved interlocking AF
Short broad spinous process
Large vertebral foreamen
Describe the regional variations in the zygapophysial joint form lateral view
Cervical- sloped from anterior to posterior
Thoracic- vertical
Lumbar- wrapped
