Cervical Spine Review

Bones & Landmarks

100

This segment is ring-like structure connected by anterior and posterior arches.

Atlas (C1)

200

The space where the vertebral artery passes through

Transverse foramen

300

This landmark has a lateral groove for the spinal nerve that can be compromised with decreasing disc height or OA

Transverse process

400

Portion of the vertebrae that extend posteromedial and form the vertebral foramen

Laminae

500

These vertebral landmarks are attachment points for the levator scapulae and scalene muscles.

Anterior and posterior tubercles

Joints

100

This biconvex joint primarily functions in the transverse plane for cervical rotation.

Atlantoaxial joint

200

This joint functions in both the sagittal and frontal plane as a saddle joint providing stability and restriction of tilting.

Interbody joint

300

Uncovertebral joints are located in the posterolateral corner of the superior vertebral body and function to limit these motions.

Lateral flexion, rotation and posterior translation

400

These 2 segments are considered the keystone for ipsilateral lateral flexion and rotation coupling in the spine.

C2-C3

500

The superior and inferior facets of the zygopophyseal joints have opposite orientation to function 45 degrees from transverse plane. What are their orientations?

Superior facets- superior and posterior

Inferior facets- inferior and anterior

Kinematics

100

The primary motions of this joint include flexion and extension, with roll and slide moving opposite directions.

Atlantooccipital joint 

200

During extension of segments C3-C7, the vertebral body tilts and slides ______ and inferior facets slide _____. 

Posterior

Inferior

300

In order to have motion in the cervical spine, this segment needs to have motion and should be examined. 

T4

400

The superior and inferior facet so the atlas and axis are both oppositely oriented according to their name (ex. superior facet= superior orientation), but share the same orientation in the sagittal plane. Which segment is oriented medially and which is oriented laterally?

Atlas- medial

Axis- lateral

500

Lateral flexion is restricted by these 3 structures.

Joint capsule, contralateral intertransverse ligament, contralateral spinal lateral flexors

Ligaments, Membranes & Discs

100

This membrane functions as a continuation of the ligamentum flavum from C0-C2.

Posterior atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial membranes

200

This ligament connects the anterior arch of the atlas (C1) and posterior facets of the axis (C2) while functioning to prevent anterior translation of C1 on C2

Transverse ligament

300

Fissures of the annulus fibrosis develop with age at the uncinate process to form this.

Uncovertebral cleft

400

This ratio of disc height to vertebral body helps to promote mobility in the cervical spine.

2:5

500

This portion of the ligamentum nuchae is continuous with the interspinous ligaments, acting as an attachment point for the fascia of the semispinalis capitis and splenius capitis

Ventral midline septum

Name that Muscle

100

This group of muscles contain a high number of proprioceptors to maintain head position and optimize sensory organ function

Suboccipitals

200

These 4 muscles are part of the deep neck flexors, typically long with extension/extension-rotation syndrome.

Longus capitis, longus colli, rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis

300

These 2 muscles originate at the 1st rib and function as ipsilateral lateral flexors and contralateral rotators. 

Anterior and middle scalenes

400

This muscle is the only anterior cervical muscle (deep neck flexor) to not insert onto a portion of the occiput.

Longus colli

500

The trapezius originates at the external occipital protuberance, medial superior nuchal line of the occiput, ligamentum nuchae and spinous processes of C7-T12 and inserts at these 3 sites. 

Lateral 1/3 of clavicle, acromion and scapular spine