Craniovertebral joint

Question 1

What are the three ligaments of the cranio-vertebral joint that extend from spinal ligaments?

Answer 1

Anterior antlantooccipital membrane

Membrana tectoria

Posterior atlantooccipital membrane

Question 2

What are the parts of the cruciate ligament?

Answer 2

Transverse ligament of the atlas

Superior band to occipital bone

Inferior band to body of C2

Question 3

What is a hangman’s fracture?

Answer 3

Excessive flexion of extension of C1-2 joint

Occurs in auto wrecks, falls in elderly mostly hyperextenstion

Question 4

Where are alar “check” ligaments and what is their function?

Answer 4

Run from dens to the occipital bone on each side

Prevents excessive rotation of the head

Question 5

What are the borders of the suboccipital triangle?

Answer 5

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

Obliquus Capitis Inferior

Obliquus Capitis Superior

Question 6

What nerves and arteries travel through the suboccipital triangle?

Answer 6

Suboccipital nerve

Greater occipital nerve

Vertebral Artery

Ocipital Artery

Question 7

What provides sensory innervation to the dura?

Answer 7

Tigeminal (all branches)

Vagus*

Upper Cervical Spinal nerves