Week 6 - Cervical Spine

Question 1

Where does most of the flexion/ extension and rotation occur at the cervical spine?

Answer 1

Flexion/ extension - 50% at CO-C1

Rotation - 50% at C1-C2

Question 2

Describe the typical features of a cervical vertebrae

Answer 2

Relatively small vertebral body
Transverse process has anterior and posterior tubercle
Transverse Foramen
Articular pillar in upper cervical spine almost horizontal, become more vertically inclined lower down
Bifid spinous processes in upper cervical spine, lower cervical spine is singular
Joints of Von Luschka

Question 3

What are the atypical cervical vertebrae?

Answer 3

C1 - Atlas
C2 - Axis
C7 - Vertebrae Prominens

Question 4

Give the features of atypical vertebrae C1

Answer 4

No vertebral body - ring shaped with anterior and posterior arch
Anterior arch has synovial plane joint with dens
Superior articular facets are large and concave for occiput
Lateral mass instead of transverse process - has foramen

Question 5

Give the features of atypical vertebrae C2

Answer 5

Odontoid peg/ dens projects superiorly
Convex superior articular facet to articulate with atlas/ C1
More anteriorly placed transverse process
Bifid spinous process

Question 6

Classify the atlanto-occipital joint and give articular surfaces

Answer 6

Occipital condyles articulate with superior articular facet on atlas
Synovial plane joint

Question 7

Name and classify the two atlanto-axial joints

Answer 7

Median joint - synovial pivot - facet on front of dens with facet on inner aspect of anterior arch of atlas
Lateral joint - synovial plane

Question 8

Describe the transverse ligament of the upper cervical spine

Answer 8

Divides the ring of the atlas into two compartments with the dens anteriorly and the spinal cord posteriorly
Holds dens and atlas in close approximation

Question 9

Describe the attachments of the alar ligament and the movement limited by this ligament

Answer 9

Both sides of the dens to the medial aspect of the occiput
Limit flexion/ rotation/ side flexion
Prevents distraction of C1 on C2

Question 10

Give the attachments of the apical ligament

Answer 10

Apex of the dens to the anterior edge of the Foramen Magnum

Question 11

Which ligament is a continuation of the PLL and what are it’s attachments?

Answer 11

Tectorial membrane - Extends from posterior aspect of dens to occipital bone within the anterior edge of foramen magnum

Question 12

What ligament is a continuation of the supraspinous ligament and what are it’s attachments?

Answer 12

Ligamentum Nuchae
SP C7 to External Occipital Protuberance
Deep part attaches to posterior tubercle of atlas

Question 13

Which ligament is a continuation of Ligament Flavum in the Upper Cervical Spine?

Answer 13

Posterior Atlanto-Axial Membrane

Question 14

What ligament is a continuation of the ALL in the Upper Cervical Spine?

Answer 14

Anterior Atlanto-Axial Membrane

Question 15

Give the ligaments of the lower cervical spine (6)

Answer 15

ALL
PLL
Ligamentum Flavum
Intertransverse Ligaments
Interspinous Ligaments
Ligamentum Nuchae
Supraspinous ligament