Cervical Spine

Question 1

What does each vertebra have on each side?

Answer 1

2 facet joints

Question 2

what type of joint is the atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 2

lateral: ellipsoid synovial joint
medial: synovial pivot joint

Question 3

what makes up the atlanto-axial joint?

Answer 3

medial- synovial pivot joint
the dens articulates with the anterior arch of C1

lateral- 2 joints located on either side of the dens
facet joints- inferior facets of atlas with superior facets of axis

Question 4

what type of joint is the atlanto-occipital joint

Answer 4

synovial joint

Question 5

what are the articulations of the atlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 5

between oval concave (C1) and the occipital (CO) convex condyles on the base of the skull.

Question 6

what movements does the atlanto-occipital joint facilitate?

Answer 6

flexion/extension (20%)
Lateral flexion (8%)
Limited rotation (this is carried out by atlanto-axial joint)

Question 7

what is a myotome?

Answer 7

a group of muscles that are innervated by a single spinal nerve root

Question 8

what is a dermatome?

Answer 8

an area of skin on the body that relies on a specific connection in the spine

Question 9

Name the mytomes of the cervical spine

Answer 9

C1: neck flexion
C2: neck extension
C3: neck side flexion
C4: upper traps lift
C5: deltoid lift
C6: elbow flexion
C7 elboow extension
C8: thumb
T1: finger squeeze

Question 10

Describe the Atlas (C1)

Answer 10

C1 differes from the rest of the veretbra as it has no vertebral body or spinous process
Its role is to support the skull

Question 11

What movement does the atlanto-axial joint allow?

Answer 11

rotation of the head, independant of the torso

Question 12

what ligaments are found in the cervical spine?

Answer 12

• Anteior longitudinal ligament
  -Posterior longitudinal ligament
  -Interspinous ligament
  -Supraspinous ligament
  -Ligamentum flavum
  -Nuchal ligament
  -Alar ligament
• Transverse ligament of the Atlas

Question 13

What is the function of the anteiror longitudinal ligament and where is it found?

Answer 13

Location: Runs along the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies from the occipital bone to the sacrum.

Function: limits extension of the spine and reinforces the front of the intervertebral discs.

Question 14

What is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament and where is it found?

Answer 14

Location: runs along the posterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies inside the vertebral canal, from the axis (C2) down to the sacrum.

Function: limits flexion of the spine and reinforces the back of the intervertebral discs.

Question 15

What is the function of the ligamentum flavum and where is it found?

Answer 15

Location: connects the laminae of adjacent vertebra from the axis (C2) to the sacrum.

Function: limits flexion and rotation of the cervical spine and helps preserve the normal curvature of the spine.

Question 16

What is the function of the interspinous ligament and where is it found?

Answer 16

Location: runs between the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae, from the base of the skull to the sacrum.

Function: limits excessive seperation of the SP’s during flexion

Question 17

What is the function of the supraspinous ligament and where is it found?

Answer 17

Location: runs along the tip of the SP’s from C7 down to the Sacrum.
Function: limits flexion and provides support to the back of the cervical spine.

Question 18

What is the function of the nuchal ligament and where is it found?

Answer 18

Location: runs from the external occiptal protuberance and the nuchal line of the occipital bone down to the SP of C7.

Function: supports the head, helps maintain upright posture and limits flexion and extension

Question 19

What is the function of the alar ligament and where is it found?

Answer 19

Location: attach the dens (odontoid process) to the lateral sides of the foramen magnus

Function: limit rotation and side flexion of the head and neck.

Question 20

What is the function of the Transverse ligament of the Atlas and where is it found?

Answer 20

Location: extends across the posterior aspect of the dens of the axis, attaching to the lateral masses of the atlas.

Function: holds the dens in place agaisnt the atlas, peventing it from moving backward and causing spinal injury.