Week 6 - Cervical Spine Flashcards
Where does most of the flexion/ extension and rotation occur at the cervical spine?
Flexion/ extension - 50% at CO-C1
Rotation - 50% at C1-C2
Describe the typical features of a cervical vertebrae
Relatively small vertebral body
Transverse process has anterior and posterior tubercle
Transverse Foramen
Articular pillar in upper cervical spine almost horizontal, become more vertically inclined lower down
Bifid spinous processes in upper cervical spine, lower cervical spine is singular
Joints of Von Luschka
What are the atypical cervical vertebrae?
C1 - Atlas
C2 - Axis
C7 - Vertebrae Prominens
Give the features of atypical vertebrae C1
No vertebral body - ring shaped with anterior and posterior arch
Anterior arch has synovial plane joint with dens
Superior articular facets are large and concave for occiput
Lateral mass instead of transverse process - has foramen
Give the features of atypical vertebrae C2
Odontoid peg/ dens projects superiorly
Convex superior articular facet to articulate with atlas/ C1
More anteriorly placed transverse process
Bifid spinous process
Classify the atlanto-occipital joint and give articular surfaces
Occipital condyles articulate with superior articular facet on atlas
Synovial plane joint
Name and classify the two atlanto-axial joints
Median joint - synovial pivot - facet on front of dens with facet on inner aspect of anterior arch of atlas
Lateral joint - synovial plane
Describe the transverse ligament of the upper cervical spine
Divides the ring of the atlas into two compartments with the dens anteriorly and the spinal cord posteriorly
Holds dens and atlas in close approximation
Describe the attachments of the alar ligament and the movement limited by this ligament
Both sides of the dens to the medial aspect of the occiput
Limit flexion/ rotation/ side flexion
Prevents distraction of C1 on C2
Give the attachments of the apical ligament
Apex of the dens to the anterior edge of the Foramen Magnum
Which ligament is a continuation of the PLL and what are it’s attachments?
Tectorial membrane - Extends from posterior aspect of dens to occipital bone within the anterior edge of foramen magnum
What ligament is a continuation of the supraspinous ligament and what are it’s attachments?
Ligamentum Nuchae
SP C7 to External Occipital Protuberance
Deep part attaches to posterior tubercle of atlas
Which ligament is a continuation of Ligament Flavum in the Upper Cervical Spine?
Posterior Atlanto-Axial Membrane
What ligament is a continuation of the ALL in the Upper Cervical Spine?
Anterior Atlanto-Axial Membrane
Give the ligaments of the lower cervical spine (6)
ALL PLL Ligamentum Flavum Intertransverse Ligaments Interspinous Ligaments Ligamentum Nuchae Supraspinous ligament