Atypical Cervical Vertebrae- C1

Question 1

What is the name of the first cervical vertebrae?

Answer 1

Atlas

Question 2

What features are lacking at C1?

4

Answer 2

Vertebral body
Pedicles
A spinous process
Intervertebral disc

Question 3

What is thought to represent the pedicle at C1?

Answer 3

The Anterior Arch

Question 4

What muscles attaches to the anterior arch of C1?

1

Answer 4

Longus Colli

Question 5

What ligaments will attach to the anterior arch of C1?

3

Answer 5

Anterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior atlanto-occipital ligament
Anterior atlanto-axial ligament

Question 6

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

Answer 6

The Fovea Dentis

Question 7

What joint classifications are observed on the anterior arch of C1?
(2)

Answer 7

Fibrous (Amphiarthrosis) Syndesmosis joint
Synovial Pivot (Diarthrosis Trochoid) joint

Question 8

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

Answer 8

They are elliptical
Closer together in the front
Often demonstrate an elevation subdividing the facet surface into two separate surfaces

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Backward, upward, and medial (BUM)

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Synovial (Diarthrosis) Ellipsoidal joint

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Asymmetrical, slightly concave, flattened

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Backward, medial, downward (BMD)

Question 13

What muscles attach to the lateral mass of C1?

3

Answer 13

Levator scapula
Splenius cervicis
Rectus capitis anterior

Question 14

What part of C1 represents the spinous process?

Answer 14

Posterior tubercle of the posterior arch

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Males: About 50 millimeters
Females: About 37 millimeters

Question 16

What attaches to the posterior tubercle of the posterior arch of C1?
(2)

Answer 16

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor muscle

Ligamentum Nuchae

Question 17

What superior surface modifications of the posterior arch of C1 are present?
(2)

Answer 17

Groove/sulcus for the vertebral artery

Arcuate rim

Question 18

What attaches to the arcuate rim of the C1?

1

Answer 18

The posterior atlanto-occipital ligament

Question 19

What are the attachment sites of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament?
(3)

Answer 19

It is attached to:

• Arcuate rim of the posterior arch of Atlas
• Superior articular process of the lateral mass of atlas
• Posterior margin of the foramen magnum of the occipital bone.

Question 20

What is the joint classification of the atlanto-axial zygampophysis?

Answer 20

Synovial plane (diarthrosis arthrodia) joint

Question 21

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

Answer 21

About age 7 years old

Question 22

Based on the amount of ossification of the anterior free margin of the posterior atlanto-occipital ligament what structures will from?

Answer 22

An incomplete ponticulus posticus or a complete ponticulus posticus

Question 23

What names are given to the opening formed by the ponticulus posticus?
(2)

Answer 23

Arcuate Foramen or Retroarticular Canal

Question 24

Ponticulus Posticus has observed in what ethnic populations?

Answer 24

All ethnic populations studies thus far

Question 25

What joint classification(s) may be observed on the posterior arch of C1? (1)

Answer 25

Fibrous (Amphiarthrosis) Syndesmosis Joint

Question 26

What are the osseous parts of the transverse process of C1? | 3

Answer 26

Costal element Posterior tubercle True transverse process

Question 27

What osseous parts of the transverse process are absent in C1?

Answer 27

Anterior tubercle and costotransverse bar

Question 28

What muscles attach to the transverse process of C1? | 8

Answer 28

``` Rectus capitis anterior Rectus capitits lateralis Middle scalene Levator scapula Splenius cervicis Obliquus capitis superior Obliquus capitis inferior Intertransversarii ```

Question 29

What sub occipital muscles are known to have facial projections attaching to the spinal dura? (3)

Answer 29

Rectus capitis posterior minor Rectus capitis posterior major Obliquus capitis inferior

Question 30

What are the connections between sub occipital muscles and the spinal dura called?

Answer 30

Myodural bridges

Question 31

What are the lateral bridges of the atlas connected to? | 2

Answer 31

The lateral mass and the transverse process of atlas

Question 32

What opening is identified when a complete lateral bridge is formed?

Answer 32

The Retrotransverse foramen

Question 33

Which of the ponticles (bridges) of atlas is only observed in humans?

Answer 33

Lateral bridges

Question 34

What is the distance from the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of C1 to the skin for each gender?

Answer 34

A little over 30 millimeters for both males and females

Question 35

What is the gender variation for measurements of the transverse diameter of C1?

Answer 35

Males: 78 millimeters Females: 72 millimeters

Question 36

What joint classifications are observed at C1? | 4

Answer 36

``` Fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint Synovial (diarthrosis) ellipsoidal joint Synovial pivot (diarthrosis trochoid) joint Synovial plane (diathesis arthrodia) joint ```

Question 37

How many synovial joint surfaces are observed at C1?

Answer 37

Five

Question 38

What synovial joint surfaces are observed at C1? | 3

Answer 38

Two Superior Articular Facets Two Inferior Articular Facets Fovea Dentis