Cervical Spine (BM) Flashcards
(16 cards)
Mechanical functions of the spine
structural support for musculoskeltal torso
flexibility of motion for activites
protects spinal cord
mechanical stability elements of spine
passive elements = vertebrae, disc, facets, ligaments
active elements = muscles
stability obtained via highly developed dynamic neuromuscular control system
disturbances to the spine
biological factors (age/disease degeneration)
acute or cumulative fatigue injuries
surgical procedures
What are the two distinct units of the cervical spine?
craniovertebral/suboccipital unit and lower cervical vertebral unit
Craniovertebral/suboccipital unit
made up of C1, C2 and occipital bone
2 points of weight distribution
lower cervical vertebral unit
made up of typical vertebrae (c3-C7)
Triangular column
- anterior pillar = vertebral bodies (from C2 down)
- posterior pillars (bilateral zygapophyseal articulations) (weight bearing facet joints)
3 points of weight distribution
C2 = largest column of support
facet joints are weight bearing!! (unlike lumbar spine)
T/F zygapophyseal joints are weight bearing
true! (in cervical spine)
Craniovertebral unit - Occipital Condyles
convex in AP and ML
inferior surface articulates with superior facets of atlas (concave)
condyles are oval shape
anterior extremities (forward and medial) closer together anterior
posterior extremities extend back to middle of foramen magnum
C1 - Atlas
atypical vertebrae
lateral masses are in line w/ occipital condyles
transverse processess provide muscle attachment
superior surface is bi-concave in AP (double facets)
inferior surface has flat facets and is slightly convex AP
slender arches (ant and post)
anterior arch is short and slender and has small facet for dens
C2 - Axis
accepts load from atlas and transmits load to C3
- anterior = C2-C3 IVD
- posterior = C2-C3 zygapophyseal joints
C2 - Axis info continued
dens/odontiod process = pivot AA joint, axial rotation
superior surface facets sloped inferiorly
inferior surface facets located posterior to superior facets
lamina broad and robust!!!
body located anteriorly
articulating facet on dens is in anterior direction (posterior on C1)
C2 = first indication of spinous process
Typical cervical vertebrae c3-c7
fxns = load bearing, stability, mobility
Vertebral bodies of C3-C7
ability to bear and transmit axial loads
superior surface: concave ML, sloped down anteriorly
inferior surface: concave AP
uncinate processes of C3-C7
not present early in life
superior, post, lateral borders (perimeter of body)
higher than main part of articulating surface
prevents above vertebrae from gliding in ML direction
facets of C3-C7
support weight and offer stability
limit/guide motion btwn consecutive vertebrae
