Cervical vertebrae

Question 1

Where are the cervical vertebrae found?

Answer 1

Skeleton of neck

Question 2

What is the relative size of the cervical vertebrae? Why?

Answer 2

Smallest vertebrae

bear less weight

Question 3

What is the relative size of the vertebral body of the cervical vertebrae? Why?

Answer 3

Small

bear less weight

Question 4

What are the distinctive features of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 4

Large triangular vertebral foramen
Transverse foramen
Bifid spinous process
Superior articular facet faces upwards and posteriorly
Inferior articular facet faces downwards and anteriorly

Question 5

Why is the vertebral foramen large in the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 5

To acommodate the enlargement of the spinal cord in the cervical region

Question 6

What is a transverse foramen?

Answer 6

Hole in the transverse process

Question 7

What runs in the transverse foramen? What is the exception? Why?

Answer 7

Vertebral arteries
Vertebral veins

C7 transverse foramen only carries vertebral vein
because it’s smaller

Question 8

What is the signifiance of the articular facets being almost horizontal?

Answer 8

Permit a greater range of movement - flexion, extension, rotation

Question 9

What is the C1 vertebrae called?

Answer 9

The atlas

Question 10

What is the widest cervical vertebrae?

Answer 10

C1 atlas

Question 11

How is the atlas an atypical bone?

Answer 11

Doesn’t have a vertebral body
Doesn’t have a spinous process
Has lateral masses

Question 12

Why doesn’t the atlas have a vertebral body?

Answer 12

It’s body fused with the axis to form the odontoid process

Question 13

What are the lateral masses?

Answer 13

Thickening of the vertebral arch

Question 14

Where do the transverse processes arise from in the atlas?

Answer 14

From the lateral masses

Question 15

What is the function of the lateral mass?

Answer 15

Bear weight of occipit of skull superiorly

Question 16

Where are the superior and inferior articulating surfaces located in the atlas?

Answer 16

Superiorly and inferiorly to the lateral masses

Question 17

What does the superior articulating surface of the atlas articulate with?

Answer 17

The occipital bone

Question 18

What does the inferior articulating surface of the atlas articulate with?

Answer 18

C2 - axis

Question 19

How else does the atlas articulate with the axis?

Answer 19

Has an articular facet
located posteriorly to the anterior tubercle
articulates with the odontoid process

Question 20

What is the atlas basically made up of?

Answer 20

Anterior arch
Posterior arch
Lateral masses

Question 21

What movement occurs at the anlanto-occipital joint?

Answer 21

Half of total flexion and extension

E.g. Nodding

Question 22

What movement occurs at the Atlanta-axial joint?

Answer 22

Half of total rotation

E.g. Shaking the head

Question 23

What are the other features of the atlas?

Answer 23

Anterior tubercle
Posterior tubercle
Tubercle for transverse ligament of atlas
Groove for vertebral artery

Question 24

What is the C2 vertebra called?

Answer 24

The axis

Question 25

What is the strongest cervical vertebra?

Answer 25

C2 - axis

Question 26

How is the axis an atypical bone?

Answer 26

Odontoid process Lateral masses Largest spinous process

Question 27

What is the odontoid process?

Answer 27

Projection of bone From anterior axis projects superiorly

Question 28

Where does the dens lie in relation to the atlas?

Answer 28

Within the vertebral foramen of the atlas

Question 29

How is the odontoid process held in position in the vertebral foramen of the atlas?

Answer 29

By the transverse ligament | runs behind the odontoid process

Question 30

What are the functions of the dens and the transervse ligament?

Answer 30

Prevent anterior displacement of atlas

Question 31

What is C7 often referred to? Why?

Answer 31

The vertebra prominents | because it has the longest and hence most prominent spinous process

Question 32

How is C7 an atypical vertebrae?

Answer 32

Spinous process is not bifid Large transverse process Small transverse foramina

Question 33

What is the additional ligament of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 33

The nuschal ligament

Question 34

What is the nuschal ligament essentially?

Answer 34

Thickening of supraspinous ligament

Question 35

Where does the nuschael ligament originate?

Answer 35

External occipital protuberance

Question 36

What does the nuschal ligament attach to?

Answer 36

Spinous processes

Question 37

Where does the nuschal ligament insert?

Answer 37

Spinous process of C7

Question 38

What are the functions of the nuschal ligament?

Answer 38

Maintains lordotic secondary curvature of cervical spine Helps cervical spine support head Major site of attachment of neck and trunk muscles e.g. trapezius, rhomboid minor

Question 39

What are the movements of the cervical spine?

Answer 39

Flexion Extension Lateral flexion Rotation