L12 Upper Cervical Spine

Question 1

OA joint favors which plane of motion?

Answer 1

sagittal
facet orientation towards eyes
also allows SB and rotation
excessive extension leads to forward head posture

Question 2

OA flexion causes what glide of occiput?

Answer 2

posterior glide

Question 3

OA extension causes what glide of occiput?

Answer 3

anterior glide

Question 4

tectorial membrane restrains which OA movement?

Answer 4

flexion head nod at C1
on posterior surface

Question 5

os odontoidium

Answer 5

disconnection between top of dens and C2
requires surgical repair

Question 6

alar ligament checks what motions?

Answer 6

occipital flexion
contralateral rotation and SB
connects from dens to occiput BL

Question 7

apical ligament function

Answer 7

stabilizes posterior translation of the dens

Question 8

ligamentum nuchae function

Answer 8

from occipital protuberance down nuchal line
provides support

Question 9

transverse ligament

Answer 9

connects dens to the lateral masses of the atlas

Question 10

actions of the sub occipital muscles

Answer 10

UL contraction of all four produces SB
BL contraction of all four produces OA extension

Question 11

atlantoaxial joint rule of thirds

Answer 11

1/3 of AP diameter inside atlas occupied by spinal cord
1/3 by dens
1/3 is potential empty space

Question 12

short neck flexors include:

Answer 12

rectus capitis anterior
rectus capitis lateralis
deep neck flexors

Question 13

AA joint play coupled motion

Answer 13

contralateral!
R SB with L rotation

Question 14

C1 ROMs

Answer 14

flexion: 3.5
extension: 21
SB: 6
rotation: 7

Question 15

AA arthrokinematics: rotation

Answer 15

ipsilateral down and back glide
contralateral down and forward glide