C SPINE ANATOMY

Question 1

Label the anatomy 1-9

Answer 1

1 VERTEBRAL BODY T1
2 SPINOUS PROCESS C7
3 LAMINA OF C5
4 INFERIOR ARTICULAR PROCESS OF C4
5 SUPERIOR ARTICULAR PROCESS OF C5
6 SPINOUS PROCESS OF C2
7 ODONTOID PEG
8ANTERIOR ARCH OF C1
9 TRACHEA

Question 2

What are the 5 lines of assessment when looking at the C Spine and describe where they are meant to lie ?

Answer 2

1 The anterior vertebral body line - The anterior margins of the vertebral bodies.
2 Posterior vertebral body line (POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAGMENT) - The posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
3 Spinolaminar line. - This should run parallel to the posterior vertebral body line.
4 The spinous process line - This runs at the posterior aspect of the spinous processes. This is useful in assessing interspinous distance and spinous process injury.
5 The Harris ring. This is located at C2. Useful when looking at low odontoid fractures.

Question 3

What is prevertebral soft tissue and what does an increase in size or bulge indicate ?

Answer 3

This is the soft tissue anterior to the vertebral bodies.
Any disruption can indicate haemorrhage and in turn an important injury.

Question 4

Name 4 ligaments supporting the C spine ?

Answer 4

1Anterior longitudinal ligament.
2Posterior longitudinal ligament.
3Supraspinous ligament.
4 Ligamentum flavum.

Question 5

What are C1 and C2 also known as ?

Answer 5

C1 - ATLAS
C2 - AXIS

Question 6

where is the body of the dens located ?

Answer 6

On the C2 VERTEBRAE.
C1 HAS TWO LATERAL MASSES WHICH SIT JUST UNDER THE SKULL.

Question 7

What two ligaments attach themselves to the base of the skull ?

Answer 7

apical ligament which is at the top of the odontoid process/ dens.
Alar ligaments which attach laterally of the base of the skull.

Question 8

Where is the transverse ligament located and what is it’s role ?

Answer 8

Posteriorly around the dens. It holds the dens up against the anterior facet of C1. Crucial for the stability of the dens position in the foremen of C1.

Question 9

What happens when the transverse ligament becomes lax ?

Answer 9

It allows the dens to migrate posteriorly in to the space occupied by the chord.

Question 10

What is the Harris ring ?

Answer 10

A composite shadow to show a fracture of the body of C2.

Question 11

What measurement should the pre- dental space be ?

Answer 11

No more than 3mm in an adult and 5 mm in a pead.