Bones and Joints of the Neck Flashcards
What is the curvature of the cervical spine?
laudosis
What are the features of typical cervical vertebrae?
bifid spinous process, transverse mass of anterior and posterior tubercles, transverse foramen, uncinate processes on the body, articular surfaces at 45 degrees
What features make C7 an atypical vertebrae?
it is bigger and has a much longer spinous process and lacks the uncinate processes
What are the lateral vertebral muscles and where do they attach?
scalenus anterior, medius and posterior - attach to the transverse mass of the cervical spine
What lies between scalenus anterior and medius?
the subclavian artery and the brachial plexus
What lies on scalenus anterior?
the phrenic nerve
What is a cranial shift in the spinal cord and what are the symptoms?
elongation of the anterior process of C7 - results in entrapment of C8 and T1 nerves which results in problems with movements of the hand and sensory loss over C8 and T1 dermatomes
What are the features of the atlas?
no body, anterior and posterior arches, facet for the dens, occipital condyles, longest transverse processes
What are the features of the axis?
dens with articular surfaces, strong spinous process
What is different about the C1 and C2 nerve roots?
they pass behind the facet joints instead of infront
Which anterior tubercle may compress the common carotid?
C6
At which level does the common carotid bifurcate?
C4
Which transverse foraminae transmit the vertebral arteries?
C1-6
What are the atlanto-occipital joints?
2 lateral synovial joints between the occipital condyles and the atlas
What movement occurs at the atlanto-occipital joint?
nodding
