Cervical Spine

Question 1

How many vertebrae in cervical spine?

Answer 1

7

C1-C7

note: 33 vertebrae in complete spine

Question 2

what joint of the C-spine is important in the “sniff position”

Answer 2

atlanto occipital

Question 3

What are C1 and C2 vertebrae also known as?

Answer 3

C1 = Atlas (think of the letter “l” in atlas as a 1 - “At1as”)

C2 = Axis

Question 4

Identify the numbered structures of the cervicle vertebra

Answer 4

1. body
2. transverse process
3. pedicle
4. superior articular process
5. lamina
6. spinous process
7. posterior turbicle of transverse process
8. foramen transversarium
9. anterior turbicle of transverse process
10. sulcus (groove) for nerve

Note: the inferior articular process would located directly under # 4 if you were looking at lateral view of the vertebra

Question 5

Identify the numbered structures

Answer 5

1. occiput bone
2. posterior atlanto-occipital membrane
3. Atlas, posterior arch
4. posterior atlantoaxial membrane
5. Axis, arch
6. posterior longitudinal ligament
7. transverse ligament
8. dens of axis
9. Axis, anterior arch
10. atlantoaxial ligament

Question 6

What are the cervical landmarks associated with the larynx

Answer 6

C3 - hyoid bone

C4-C5 - thyroid cartilage (vocal cords at this level as well)

C6 - cricoid cartilage

Question 7

Identify numbered structures

Answer 7

1. foramen magnum
2. occipital condyle

Question 8

Labeled structures of atlas

Answer 8

Question 9

labeled structures of inferior view of atlas

Answer 9

Question 10

labeled structures of axis

Answer 10

Question 11

what are the high risk managment of areas of the C-spine

Answer 11

C1 and C2

Question 12

what part of the axis is subject to fracture

Answer 12

the dens (a.k.a.) odontoid process

Question 13

what is the McGregor’s line?

Answer 13

drawn from posterior tip of hard palate to lowest point of occipital bone

avg normal position - odontoid tip 1.32 mm above line

Position > 4.5 mm above line is indicative of basilar impression

Question 14

what % of movement of associated base of scull and c-spine

Answer 14

50% of flexion and extension

50% rotation

Question 15

xray image of cspine

Answer 15

Question 16

F______ R______ O_______ M________

Answer 16

Full Range Of Motion

Question 17

which joint allows extension of the head

Answer 17

atlanto-occipital joint

Question 18

When discussing FROM, which cervical vertebra contribute to flexion? rotation? Lateral bending?

Answer 18

Flexion : C3 - C7

Rotation : atlanta-occipital joint

Lateral bending : C3, C4, C5