Cervical Spine Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is unique about C1 compared to C3-C6?
Atlas
- Has no vertebral body or spinous process
- 2 lateral masses separated by anterior and posterior arch
What is unique about C2 compared to C3-C6?
Axis
- Dens
- Spinous process is large/elongated and bifid
What is unique about C7 compared to C3-C6?
- Largest of cervical vertebrae
- Has many characteristics of a thoracic vertebrae
- Large spinous process
What is the structure of the typical cervical vertebrae (C3-C6)?
- Body is small
- Transverse foramen on transverse process
- Intervertebral disc
1. Crescent shape- thick anteriorly and taper laterally
2. Posterior longitudinal ligament “stops” nucleus posteriorly
Describe atlanto-occipital joint
Convex occipital condyle articulates with concave superior facet of atlas
Describe atlanto-axial joint
Dens -
Facet -
- Dens and anterior arch of atlas/transverse ligament
1. Synovial pivot joint - Inferior facets of the atlas with superior facets of the axis
1. Biconvex with mensicoids
The ligamentum flavum continue as what to cranium?
- Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
2. posterior atlanto-axial membrane
The Anterior longitudinal ligament continue as what to cranium?
- Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane
2. Anterior atlanto-axial membrane
The posterior longitudinal ligament continues as what membrane to the cranium?
Tectoral membrane
The supraspinous ligament continues as what membrane to the cranium?
Ligamentum nuchae
What is the role of the transverse ligament? What motion does it help limit?
Primary role is to prevent anterior displacement of C1 on C2
What is the role of the alar ligament? What motion does it help limit?
- Taut in neck flexion and with axial rotation
- Limit lateral flexion and prevent distraction of C1 on C2
What motions (osteokinematics) can be performed at the cervical spine?
- Flexion/Extension
- Rotation
- Lateral Flexion
- Protraction/retraction
What occurs in the cervical spine with protraction? Retraction?
- Protraction
1. Upper cervical extension
2. Lower cervical flexion - Retraction
1. Upper cervical flexion
2. Lower cervical extension
What occurs at the atlanto-occipital joint arthrokineamtically?
Moving convex on concave:
Flex - ant roll and post glide
Ext - post roll and ant glide
Lateral flex - opposite roll and glide
What occurs at the atlanto-axial joint arthrokineamtically flex/ext?
- Tilt forward/backwards of atlas on axis
- No glide because anterior arch stops posterior glide and dens stops anterior glide
What occurs at the atlanto-axial joint arthrokineamtically rotate?
- Anterior arch and dens = rotate
- Inferior facet of atlas will glide posterior ipsilateral and anterior contralateral
What lig limits rotation at the AA joint?
Alar lig
What lig limits flex at the AA joint?
Transverse lig
What coupling motions occur with lateral flexion and rotation at the cervical spine?
-Coupled in same direction otherwise facet joints would come in contact with one another
What occurs at the facet joints of C3-C7 arthrokinematically with flex/ext?
Flex - inferior facet glides anter and superior
Ext - inferior facet glides posterior and inferior
What occurs at the facet joints of C3-C7 arthrokinematically with rotation?
Ipsilateral - Inferior facet glides posterior and slightly inferior
Contralateral - inferior facet glides anterior and slightly superior
What occurs at the facet joints of C3-C7 arthrokinematically with lateral flexion?
Ipsilateral - inferior facet glides inferiorly and slightly posterior
Contralateral - inferior facet glides superior and slightly anterior
What is the overall function of the cervical spine?
- Stability and protection (spinal cord/vert arteries)
- Most flexibility
- Free space to prevent impingement
