Cervical Spine

Question 1

how many vertebrae are there?

Answer 1

24

Question 2

What is the function of the spine?

Answer 2

To dissipate vertical compression forces so provides shock absorption

Question 3

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

Answer 3

7

Question 4

What at the characteristics of C1 (atlas) vertebrae

Answer 4

• articulates with occiput superiorly and axis inferiorly
• has no body
  no spinous process
  contains a transverse foramen which through the vertebral arteries and veins pass through
• is the first vertebrae of the spine

Question 5

Characteristics of C2 (axis)

Answer 5

• strongest cervical vertebrae
• separated body of the atlas fused with the superior surface of its body giving an upward tooth like projection
• large superior articular facets

Question 6

Characteristics of C3-C6

Answer 6

• presence of a foreman transverarium in each transverse process
• Relatively small body
• short, slender, bifid spinous processs
• ## round triangular spinal canal

Question 7

What is the vertebral body?

Answer 7

a thick bone that is cylindrical shape and located at the front of the vertebra, this carries most of the load for a vertebra

Question 8

What is the vertebral arch

Answer 8

• this bony arch wraps around the spinal cord towards the back of the spine and consists of 2 pedicles and 3 laminae. The pedicles connects with the vertebral body in the front and laminae transition into the spinous process in the back of the vertebra.

Question 9

What are the facet joints?

Answer 9

each vertebra has a pair of facet joints, these joints are located between the pedicle and the lamina on each side of the vertebral arch and are lined with smooth cartilage to enable limited movement between 2 vertebrae

Question 10

Characteristics of C7

Answer 10

• last cervical vertebrae

- extra-long spinous process

Question 11

Pathway of the vertebral artery

Answer 11

1. Aries from the subclavian artery
2. enters through the transverse Forman C6 continues to C2
3. at C2 curves backwards behind lateral mass of C1, through the transverse foramen of C1, lies in groove in posterior arch C1
4. Enters spinal canal through foramen magnum
5. potential compression by osteophytes

Question 12

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 12

transverses the anterior portion of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs of all vertebrae of the spine.

Question 13

Posterior Longitudinal ligament

Answer 13

situated within the vertebral canal, this ligament traverses the posterior portion of the ventral bodies and interval discs of the vertebrae of the spine from the axis of the sacrum

Question 14

ligamentum flavum

Answer 14

One of a series of elastic tissue that runs between the lamina from the axis to the sacrum the ligament flavum connects the laminae and fuses with the facet joint capsule

Question 15

ligamentum nuchae

Answer 15

forms a two-layered elastic septum that separates the dorsal muscles of the neck and spans from the spine of the C7 to occiput

Question 16

Interspinous ligament

Answer 16

Composed of thin sheets connecting the spinous process from C1-S1 one segment at a time

Question 17

Supraspinous ligament

Answer 17

strong fibrous cord that connects together the apices of the spinous process from the 7th cervical vertebrae

Question 18

Illiotransverse ligament

Answer 18

strong band of connective tissue and one of three vertebropelvic ligaments, they help to stabilise the lumbosacral spine of the pelvis

Question 19

Muscles in the posterior aspect

Answer 19

trapezius (upper, middle and lower)
rhomboids
levator scapulae
erector spinae

Question 20

Muscles in the anterior aspect

Answer 20

sternoclenoidmastoid

scalene