Cervical Spine

Question 1

What is the primary functions of the CERVICAL SPINE?

Answer 1

Mobility
Support
Protection of spinal canal and neural structures

Question 2

How many:- CERVICAL SPINE:

Vertebrae
Intervertebral Discs
Pairs of Exiting nerve roots

???

Answer 2

Vertebrae - (7)
Intervertebral Discs - (6)
Pairs of Exiting nerve roots - (8)

Question 3

What are the Joints of the Cervical Spine?

Answer 3

Atlanto - Occipital joint
Median Atlantoaxial Joint
Lateral Atlantoaxial Joint

Question 4

What are the articulating surfaces of the Atlanto-Occupital Joint? (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 4

Occipital condyles (convex)
Superior articular facet on the ATLAS (concave)

Question 5

What type of joint is the Median Atlantoaxial Joint? (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 5

Synovial Pivot Joint

Question 6

What are the articular surfaces of the Median Atlantoaxial Joint? (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 6

Convex rectangular facet on the front of the DENS
Concave facet inner aspect of the anterior arch of the ATLAS
Posterior surface of the DENS articulates with Transverse Ligament

Question 7

What type of joint is the Lateral Atlantoaxial joint (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 7

Synovial Plane Joint

Question 8

What are the articular surfaces of the Lateral Atlantoaxial Joint? (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 8

Two concave facets of the ATLAS
Two convex facets of the AXIS

Question 9

List the UPPER CERVICAL ligaments of the CERVICAL SPINE

Answer 9

Transverse ligament (Atlantal Cruciform Ligament)
Alar Ligament
Apical Ligament
Ligamentum Nuchae
Posterior Atlantoaxial
Anterior Atlantoaxial
Anterior atlanto-occipital
Posterior atlanto-occipital

Question 10

Describe the TRANSVERSE LIGAMENT (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 10

Divides the ring of the ATLAS into DENS (anterior) and Spinal Cord( (posterior)
Thin layer of articular cartilage on anterior surface for articulation with DENS
Holds the DENS and ATLAS in close approximation

Question 11

What is the primary function of the TRANSVERSE LIGAMENT (CERVICAL SPINE) ?

Answer 11

To prevent anterior displacement of the ATLAS on the AXIS.

Question 12

Describe the ALAR ligaments (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 12

Attached either side of DENS
Attach to the medial aspects of the OCCIPUT
RELAXED in EXTENSION but TAUT in FLEXION
Prevents displacement of C1 on C2

Question 13

What movements do the ALAR ligaments limit? (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 13

Limits flexion, rotation and lateral flexion

Question 14

Describe the APICAL LIGAMENT (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 14

Runs from the apex of the DENS to the anterior edge of the FORAMEN MAGNUM

Question 15

Describe the LIGAMENTUM NUCHAE (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 15

It is a continuation of the supraspinous ligament
Extends from the SPINOUS PROCESS of C7 to the external OCCIPITAL PROTUBERENCE
The deep part attaches to the posterior tubercle of the ATLAS

Question 16

List the LOWER CERVICAL LIGAMENTS of the CERVICAL SPINE

Answer 16

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Ligamentum Flavum
Intertransverse Ligaments
Interspinous Ligaments
Ligamentum Nuchae
Supraspinous Ligament

Question 17

Name the ATYPICAL CERVICAL VERTEBRAE (CERVICAL SPINE)

Answer 17

ATLAS, C1
AXIS, C2
VERTEBRAL PROMINENCE, C7

Question 18

Name the PRIME MOVER and list the muscles involved in the movement: CERVICAL SPINE (FLEXION)
What is the ROM?

Answer 18

PRIME MOVER: Sternocleidomastoid
Scalenus Anterior

ROM = 70 degrees

Question 19

Name the PRIME MOVER and list the muscles involved in the movement: CERVICAL SPINE (EXTENSION)
What is the ROM?

Answer 19

PRIME MOVER: Levator Scapulae

Trapezuis
Erector Spinae

ROM = 70 degrees

Question 20

Name the PRIME MOVER and list the muscles involved in the movement: CERVICAL SPINE (LATERAL FLEXION) (to either side)
What is the ROM?

Answer 20

PRIME MOVER: Scalenes (anterior, medial and posterior)

Levator Scpaulae
Sternocleidomastoid
Trapezuis
Erector Spinae

ROM = 45 degrees to either side

Question 21

Name the PRIME MOVER and list the muscles involved in the movement: CERVICAL SPINE (ROTATION)
What is the ROM?

Answer 21

Unilateral Action

Sternocleidomastoid
Scalene Anterior

ROM = 90 degrees in each direction

Question 22

Name the PRIME MOVER and list the muscles involved in the movement: CERVICAL SPINE (PROTRACTION)

Answer 22

PRIME MOVERS: Lower cervical flexors - Sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles
Upper Cervical extensors: Semispinalis Capitis, suboccipital muscles

Question 23

Name the PRIME MOVER and list the muscles involved in the movement: CERVICAL SPINE (RETRACTION)

Answer 23

PRIME MOVERS: Lower Cervical Extensors (Splenuis Cervicis)

Upper Cervical Flexors ( Longus Capitis, Rectus Capitis Anterior)

Question 24

Which ligaments limit CERVICAL SPINE FLEXION?

Answer 24

Transverse Ligament
Posterior Atlantoaxial Ligament
Alar Ligaments

Question 25

Which ligaments limit CERVICAL SPINE EXTENSION?

Answer 25

Anterior Atlantoaxial Ligament

Question 26

Which ligaments limit CERVICAL SPINE LATERAL FLEXION?

Answer 26

Alar Ligaments

Question 27

Which ligaments limit CERVICAL SPINE ROTATION?

Answer 27

Contralateral Alar Ligaments
Anterior & Posterior Atlantoaxial Ligaments

Question 28

List the active movements of the CERVICAL SPINE

Answer 28

Flexion, Extension, Latéral flexion (Left and Right), Rotation, Protraction & Retraction