cervical spine

Question 1

what is the function of the cervical spine?

Answer 1

mobility, support and protects the spinal canal and neural structures

Question 2

How many vertebrae in the cervical spine?

Answer 2

7

Question 3

How many intervertebral discs and exiting nerve roots are there?

Answer 3

6 intervertebral discs

8 pairs of exiting nerve roots

Question 4

what is typical vertebrae and atypical vertebrae

Answer 4

a-typical is atlas and axis (C1,2,7)
typical is (C3-C6)

Question 5

Describe the typical vertebrae

Answer 5

C3-C6, transverse process, 2 transverse foreman, bifid spinous process, 2 lamina, pedicle, vertebral body, anterior and posterior tubercles of transverse process,, vertebral foreman, dens (odontoid peg), superior articular fact and process

Question 6

Describe atlas structure and compare to a normal vertebrae

Answer 6

Has no spinous process, lamina, pedicle and vertebral body
atlas- ring shaped, 2 lateral masses, superior articular facet for occipital condyle, anterior facet for dens, posterior arch, transverse foreman and transverse process

Question 7

Describe axis

Answer 7

odontoid peg
2 lateral articular facets
transverse process and foreman x2
lamina x2
bifid spinous process

Question 8

which vertebrae is known as vertebrae prominens?

Answer 8

C7

Question 9

Describe are the articulations of the Atlanto-occipital joint and the type of joint it is?

Answer 9

superior articular facets of the atlas is concave and articulates with the convex occipital condyles of cranium
synovial condyloid joint

Question 10

Describe the median Atlanto-axial joint with articulation and type

Answer 10

synovial pivot joint
convex rectangular facet in front of dens
concave facet inner aspect of the anterior arch of the atlas

Question 11

Describe lateral atlanto-axial joint with articulation and type

Answer 11

synovial plane joint

2 concave facets of the atlas with 2 convex facets of the axis

Question 12

Describe the transverse ligament, location, articulation, and function

Answer 12

divides the ring of atlas into 2 compartments
anterior= dens
posterior=spinal cord
it hold and dens into close approximation with the atlas which prevents anterior displacement of atlas on axis
thin layer of articular cartilage on anterior surface for when it articulates with dens

Question 13

Describe and alar ligament, attachment, when relaxed/ taut function and limits

Answer 13

attachment is from the lateral side of the den either side to the medial aspect of the occipital
limits flexion, rotation and side flexion
relaxed in extension
prevents distraction of of C1 on C2

Question 14

What are the attachments of the apical ligament

Answer 14

from the apex of the dens to the anterior edge of the foreman magnum

Question 15

What are the attachments of ligamentum nuchae

Answer 15

continuation of the supraspinous ligament and extends from the spinous process of C7 to the occipital protuberence and the deep attachment is with the posterior tubercle of the atlas

Question 16

what is the attachment for the anterior longitudinal ligament, where is it found and the limit

Answer 16

found in the lower cervical region
superior attachment to the anterior tubercle of the atlas anterior aspect of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc and attaches to the upper sacrum
limit, extension

Question 17

what is the attachment of the posterior longitudinal ligament, where is it found and the limit

Answer 17

found in the vertebral canal
superior attachment is C2 to the body of the sacrum S1, also attaches to the intervertebral discs and adjacent margins of the vertebral bodies in the vertebral canal

Question 18

describe ligamentum flavum, limit and its attachments

Answer 18

limits flexion

attachment is from the lamina of the adjacent vertebrae from C2 to S1

Question 19

What is the attachment of the inter-transverse ligament

Answer 19

attachment is between each transverse process and joins the transverse process of the adjacent vertebrae

Question 20

what is the attachment of interspinous ligament limit and function

Answer 20

limits flexion so the spinous process of the vertebral column does not separate

attachment is thin sheets connecting the spinous processes (from roots to apexes) from C1-S1 one segment at a time.

Question 21

what is the anterior atlanto-occipital ligament a continuation of?

Answer 21

anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 22

what is the posterior atlanto occipital a continuation of?

Answer 22

ligamentum flavum

Question 23

what muscles assist in cervical flexion, note degrees

Answer 23

sternocleidomastoid, longus capitis, scalenes anterior

80 degrees

Question 24

what muscles assist in cervical extension, note degrees

Answer 24

levator scapulae, upper fibres of trapezius and erector spinae
70 degrees

Question 25

what muscles assist in cervical side flexion, note degrees

Answer 25

sternocleidomastoid, scalenes mid c3-c8, erector spinae, leveator scapulae, upper fibres of trapezius and
40 degrees

Question 26

what muscles assist in cervical rotation, note degrees

Answer 26

anterior and posterior scalene and sternocleidomastoid

90 degrees

Question 27

what muscles assist in protraction and retraction, note degrees

Answer 27

protraction= lower cervical flexors upper cervical extensors 
retraction= lower cervical extensors upper cervical flexors

Question 28

which muscle is innovated by the accessory nerve

Answer 28

upper fibres of the trapezius

Question 29

which muscle is innovated by the dorsal scapular nerve

Answer 29

levator scapulae

Question 30

which muscle is innovated by the 11th cranial nerve

Answer 30

sternocleidomastoid

Question 31

which muscle is innovated by the C4-C6

Answer 31

anterior scalene

Question 32

which muscle is innovated by the C3-C8

Answer 32

mid scalene

Question 33

which muscle is innovated by the C6-C8

Answer 33

posterior scalene

Question 34

which muscle is innovated by the spinal nerve 3-4

Answer 34

levator scapulae