Cervical vertebrae Flashcards
(23 cards)
what are the functions of cervical vertebrae
provide attachment sites for muscles
flexion
forward bending of the neck
extension
back bending of the neck
four regions of vertebrae
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral
kyphotic curve
convex
thoracic
lordotic curve
concave
cervical, lumbar
what does the vertebral foramen house
spinal chord and dens
atlanto-occipital joint
connects atlas to occipital bone
what articulates with occipital condyles
superior articular surface of lateral masses on atlas
what does inferior articular surface of lateral mass on atlas articulate with
superior articular surface of lateral masses on axis
what is dens
superior projecting bony element from C2
what articulates with dens
posterior surface of anterior arch of atlas
annulus fibrosus
equalises pressure across disc preventing damage
what is axis responsible for
50% of lateral neck movement
what passes through transverse foramen
vertebral artery, sympathetic nerve plexus and vertebral venous plexus
ligamenta flava
passes between each lamina
prevents separation of lamina
how many cervical vertebrae are there
7
where is the brachial plexus
C5-T1
ligamentum nuchae
supports head
resists excessive flexion
runs from C7- skull
supraspinous ligament
connects tips of spinous processes from C7-L3 and L4
what are the vertebral articulations
4 synovial joints (2 above and 2 below)
bilateral superior and inferior
2 symphyses
interspinous ligaments
attach from base of each spinous process to blend with supraspinous ligament posteriorly and ligament flava anteriorly on each side
