7.1: Cervical Spine - Anatomy

Question 1

Upper Cervical Spine Area

Answer 1

Cervicocephalic/Cervicocranial region

Question 2

Area for lower cervical spine

Answer 2

Cervicobrachial

Question 3

Cervicocranial region includes what vertebrae?

Answer 3

C0-C2

Question 4

How many degrees of flexion/extension for the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 4

15 to 20 degrees

Question 5

What type of joint is the atlanto-occipital joint

Answer 5

ellipsoid

Question 6

The anterior membrane is strengthened by what ligament?

Answer 6

anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 7

What replaces the ligamentum flavum between the atlas and occiput?

Answer 7

Posterior membrane

Question 8

Broad band covering the dens and its ligaments that is found within the vertebral canal and is a continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 8

Tectorial membrane

Question 9

2 strong rounded cords found on each side of the upper dens that passes upward and laterally to attach on the medial side of the occipital condyles

Answer 9

Alar ligaments

Question 10

What does the alar ligament limit

Answer 10

flexion and rotation

Question 11

What ligament plays a major role in stabilizing C1 and C2, especially during rotation?

Answer 11

Alar ligament

Question 12

Most mobile articulation in the cervical spine

Answer 12

Atlanto-axial joint (C1-C2)

Question 13

what type of joint is the atlanto-axial joint

Answer 13

pivot

Question 14

T/F: if a person talks or chews, there is movement in the atlanto-axial joint

Answer 14

true

Question 15

main supporting ligament of the atlanto-axial joint

Answer 15

transverse ligament of atlas

Question 16

The transverse ligament of the atlas is weakened by what conditions?

Answer 16

rheumatoid arthritis

Question 17

As the transverse ligament crosses the dens, how many projections does it give off?

Answer 17

2 projections (1 superiorly to the occiput; 1 inferiorly to the axis)

Question 18

What does the projections of the transverse ligament form?

Answer 18

cruciform ligament

Question 19

T/F: The vertebral artery passes through the C7 transverse foramen

Answer 19

False. It passes around the vertebral body, not through the foramen

Question 20

Pain in the cervicobrachial area is commonly referred where?

Answer 20

UE

Question 21

the vertebral and internal carotid arteries are stressed by what motion of the cervical spine?

Answer 21

primarily by rotation, extension and traction; other movements can also stretch the artery

Question 22

How many degrees of rotation and extension can significantly decrease blood flow of the vertebral artery?

Answer 22

20 degrees

Question 23

4 places where the vertebral artery is most commonly stressed

Answer 23

When it enters C6 transverse processes

within the bony canals of the vertebral transverse processes

between C1 and C2

between C1 and the entry into the skull

Question 24

Out of the 4 areas, which has the greatest potential for problems?

Answer 24

Between C1-C2

Between C1 and the entry of the arteries into the skull

Question 25

Most common mechanism for non-penetrating injury to the vertebral artery (Dutton na nasa Magee)

Answer 25

Neck extension, c or s side flexion or rotation

Question 26

How many facet joints in the cervical spine

Answer 26

14 facet joints (7 each side)

Question 27

T/F: the upper 4 facet joints in the T1-T2 area is included in cervical spine examination

Answer 27

True

Question 28

Presentation of the superior facets

Answer 28

upward, backward, and medially

Question 29

Presentation of the inferior facets

Answer 29

downward, forward, and laterally

Question 30

The facet joints' plane facilitate _______ and _____ but prevents _____ and ______

Answer 30

Facilitate flexion/extension Prevents simple rotation and lateral flexion

Question 31

T/F: rotation and side flexion in the facet joint plane both occur with either movement

Answer 31

True; Coupled movement

Question 32

Between C0-C2 and C7-T1, side flexion and rotation occur in what directions

Answer 32

opposite directions

Question 33

How do the facet joints move

Answer 33

by gliding

Question 34

between what level is the greatest flexion/extension movement seen

Answer 34

C5-C6

Question 35

T/F: There is almost as much movement at C4-C5 and C6-C7 compared to C5-C6

Answer 35

True

Question 36

This amount of movement between C4-C5, C5-C6, and C6-C7 most likely cause what?

Answer 36

degeneration

Question 37

CPP of the facet joints

Answer 37

complete extension

Question 38

Neutral position of the cervical spine

Answer 38

slightly extended

Question 39

what innervates the anterior dura sac, posterior annulus fibrosus, and the posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 39

Recurrent meningeal/sinuvertebral nerve

Question 40

main ligaments for C3-C7

Answer 40

anterior longitudinal, posterior longitudinal, ligamentum flavum, supraspinal, and interspinal ligaments

Question 41

T/F: the intertransverse ligaments in the cervical spine are rudimentary

Answer 41

True

Question 42

part of the vertebral body that is more pronounced posterolaterally that has the effect of limiting side flexion

Answer 42

uncus/uncinate process

Question 43

the uncus and the échancrure of the vertebral body above form what joint?

Answer 43

Uncinate Joint/Joints of Luschka

Question 44

What is the échancrure?

Answer 44

indentation on the inferolateral aspect of the vertebral body that articulates with the uncus/uncinate process

Question 45

The échancrure is found in what vertebrae?

Answer 45

C3-T1

Question 46

at what age is the échancrure first seen?

Answer 46

6-9 y/o

Question 47

at what age does the échancrure fully develop?

Answer 47

18 years

Question 48

approximately how many percent of the cervical spine's height does the intervertebral disc make

Answer 48

25%

Question 49

T/F: There are no discs between the occiput-C1 and C1-C2

Answer 49

True

Question 50

what gives the cervical spine its lordotic shape

Answer 50

IV disc

Question 51

innermost part of the iv disc

Answer 51

nucleus pulposus

Question 52

function of the nucleus pulposus

Answer 52

withstand axial compression and distribute compression forces

Question 53

outer part of the iv disc

Answer 53

annulus fibrosus

Question 54

what does the annulus fibrosus withstand

Answer 54

tension forces

Question 55

T/F: the iv disc has some innervation on the periphery of the nucleus pulposus

Answer 55

False; it is on the periphery of the annulus fibrosus

Question 56

why are there 8 cervical nerve roots

Answer 56

there is a nerve root exiting between the occiput and c1

Question 57

how is each nerve root named in the cervical region

Answer 57

named after the vertebra below the nerve root (ex: C4-C5 = C5)

Question 58

Why is it that in the cervical spine, the nerve root is named for the vertebra below while the rest of the nerve roots is named for the vertebra above?

Answer 58

because of the C8 nerve root

Question 59

T/F: only huge amounts of weight-bearing can lead to spondylitic changes in the facet joints

Answer 59

false. even the slightest amount can cause spondylitic change

Question 60

What portion of the cervical transverse process contain the transverse foramen

Answer 60

anterior portion

Question 61

the posterior portion of the transverse process has?

Answer 61

two articular facets