Lecture 13 - High Yield

Question 1

List the bony articulations of the occipital bone and atlas

Answer 1

Occipital: occipital condyles

Atlas: posterior tubercle, posterior arch, anterior arch, transverse process with foramina, lateral masses

Question 2

List the bony articulations of the axis

Answer 2

Dens (odontoid process), spinous process, and transverse processes with foramina

Question 3

What ligaments are found in the vertebral column?

Answer 3

Anterior/posterior longitudinal, ligamentum flavum, ligamentum nuchae (supraspinous and interspinous ligaments)

Question 4

Describe the cervical and craniovertebral joints

Answer 4

3 synovial joints; no intervertebral disc, between dens and anterior arch of the atlas, between lateral masses of atlas and axis (x2); ligaments include apical ligament, alar ligaments, cruciate ligaments, and tectorial membrane

Question 5

List and give the function of the suboccipital triangle muscles

Answer 5

Obliquus capitis superior: weak extensor of the neck

Obliquus capitis inferior: strong rotator of atlas

Rectus capitis posterior major: extension of vertebral column

Rectus capitis posterior minor: extension of vertebral column

Question 6

What is the floor and roof of the suboccipital triangle?

Answer 6

Floor: posterior atlanto-occipital membrane

Roof: semispinalis capitis muscle

Question 7

What are the contents of the suboccipital triangle?

Answer 7

Suboccipital nerve (dorsal ramus of C1, no sensory or dorsal root, motor to muscles of suboccipital triangle), greater occipital nerve (dorsal ramus of C2, sensory to back of skull), third occipital neve (dorsal ramus of C3), and vertebral artery