Functional Structures
These 2 spinal curves are concave
What are the cervical and lumbar regions
This structural feature reinforces lines of stress within the vertebrae
What are trabecular lines?
Rheumatoid arthritis may cause weakening of this cervical spine structure
What is the transverse ligament
This is the close-packed position of the cervical spine
What is full extension
This is the most mobile "joint" in the cervical spine, creating most of the rotation
What is C1-C2 (atlanto-axial)
The Atlanto-Axial joints consist of this many synovial joints
What is 3
The deep neck flexors predominantly perform these 2 functions?
What is cervical stabilization and reduce cervical lordosis
The Functional Segment Unit consists of these 2 joints
What are the PIV and AIV joints (posterior and anterior intervertebral joints)
The fulcrum of the cervical spine creates this type of moment at the head
What is a flexion moment?
What is the pars interarticularis?
These bony structures limit hyperextension of the cervical spine
What are the spinous processes
This is the resting position of the cervical spine
What is midway between flexion & extension
The cervical spine facets are primarily oriented to facilitate this motion.
What is rotation
This muscle resists anterior shear forces resulting from the lordotic curve and anterior line of gravity
What is the levator scapula?
The C1-C2 facets are oriented in this plane
What is the transverse plane?
In the spine, these 2 motions are usually 'coupled'
What are side bending & rotation?
This is the capsular pattern in the cervical spine
What is side bending is equally limited with rotation, then extension
The ligamentum flavum primarily restricts motion in this cervical movement
What is flexion
This cervical movement results in widening of the intervertebral foramen
What is cervical flexion
The atlanto-occiptial joint primarily is responsible for this particular head motion
What is 'nodding'
Rather than movement, deeper layer muscles of the cervical spine serve this specific function.
What is a 'transducer'
These cartilaginous structures protect the nucleus pulposis of the disc
What is the annulus fibrosus
A forward bending movement would cause the nucleus to exert pressure in this direction
What is posterior?
Schmorl's nodes result from this structure being displaced
What is the nucleus pulposis?
What is left rotation
Lateral flexion of the spine should be equal amounts of this range of motion
What is 35 to 45 degrees?
The articulation of the dens and C1 is this type of joint
What is a pivot joint?
These muscles function synergistically with the levator scapulae to provide cervical stability
What are the scalenes?
These ligaments help support and reinforce the disc
What are anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments?
Shear forces in the spine are create in this plane of motion
What are is the transverse plane?
This is another name for a 'decapitated' scotty dog
What is spondylolisthesis
These vertebral body structures limit sidebending and posterior translation in the lower cervical spine
What are uncinate processes
Most flexion of the cervical spine occurs between these vertebrae for a total of 100 degrees
What is C4 through C6
These facets face upward, backward, and medially
What are superior facets
When isolated to one side, these superficial muscles cause contralateral rotation
What are the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid