12/8/2015 Spinal Questions

Question 1

What features are lacking in C1?

Answer 1

Vertebral body, pedicles, a spinous process and the intervertebral disc

Question 2

What muscle attaches to the anterior arch of C1?

Answer 2

Longus colli

Question 3

What ligaments will attach to the anterior arch of C1?

Answer 3

The anterior longitudinal, anterior atlanto-occipital and anterior atlanto-axial ligaments

Question 4

What is observed on the back of the anterior arch of C1?

Answer 4

The fovea dentis

Question 5

What is the morphology of the superior articular facet of C1?

Answer 5

They are elliptical, closer together in front and often demonstrate an elevation subdividing the facet surface into two separate surfaces

Question 6

What is the orientation of the superior articular facet of C1?

Answer 6

BUM

Backward, upward, medial

Question 7

What is the joint classification of the atlanto-occipital zygapophysis?

Answer 7

Synovial (diarthrosis) ellipsoidal joint

Question 8

What are the morphological characteristics of the inferior articular facet of C1?

Answer 8

Asymmetrical, slightly concave or flattened

Question 9

What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of C1?

Answer 9

BMD

Backward, medial, downward

Question 10

What is the name of the rounded elevation on the medial aspect of the lateral mass of C1?

Answer 10

Tubercle for the transverse atlantal ligament

Question 11

What muscles attache to the lateral mass of C1?

Answer 11

Levator Scapula, Splenius Cervicis, and Rectus capitis anterior

Question 12

What is the contribution of the posterior arch to the circumference of C1?

Answer 12

About forty percent

Question 13

What part of C1 represents the spinous process?

Answer 13

Posterior tubercle of the posterior arch

Question 14

What is the distance from the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch to the skin in each gender?

Answer 14

Males: about fifty millimeters
Females: about thirty-seven millimeters

Question 15

What attaches to the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch of C1?

Answer 15

Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle and ligamentum nuchae

Question 16

What superior surface modifications of the posterior arch of C1 are present?

Answer 16

Groove/sulcus for the vertebral artery and arcuate rim

Question 17

What attaches to the arcuate rim of C1?

Answer 17

The posterior atlanto-occipital ligament

Question 18

Ossification of the free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament results in which atypical bone classification?

Answer 18

Accessory bone

Question 19

What is the earliest age of development where ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament was observed?

Answer 19

About age 7 years old

Question 20

What may be formed by ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament?

Answer 20

A partial ponticulus posticus or a complete ponticulus posticus

Question 21

What other name may be used to identify a ponticulus posticus?

Answer 21

Kimmerle’s anomaly

Question 22

What names are given to the opening formed by the ponticulus posticus?

Answer 22

Arcuate foramen or retroarticular canal

Question 23

Ponticulus posticus has observed in what ethnic populations?

Answer 23

All ethnic populations studied thus far

Question 24

What is the general range of incidence of ponticulus posticus in the populations studied?

Answer 24

1%-41%

Question 25

What is the gender bias now associated with ponticulus posticus?

Answer 25

Female

Question 26

What is the incidence of a complete ponticulus posticus versus an incomplete ponticulus posticus?

Answer 26

The incidence of a complete ponticulus posticus is about fifteen percent; the incidence of an incomplete ponticulus posticus may be as high as forty-one percent

Question 27

What joint classification(s) may be observed on the posterior arch of C1?

Answer 27

Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint

Question 28

What is the name of the first cervical vertebra?

Answer 28

Atlas