7.1 Cervical Spine Osteology

Question 1

What is the primary objective of studying cervical spine osteology?

Answer 1

To identify the basic osteologic features of the cervical spine.

Question 2

How many vertebrae are in the cervical spine?

Answer 2

Seven.

Question 3

What is a distinctive feature of cervical vertebrae that differentiates them from thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 3

The presence of a transverse foramen.

Question 4

What passes through the transverse foramen of the cervical vertebrae?

Answer 4

The vertebral artery.

Question 5

What is the function of the vertebral artery?

Answer 5

It supplies blood to the brain through the foramen magnum.

Question 6

What determines the direction of motion in the cervical spine?

Answer 6

The orientation of the articular facets.

Question 7

How are the superior articular facets of the cervical vertebrae oriented?

Answer 7

Superiorly and posteriorly.

Question 8

How are the inferior articular facets of the cervical vertebrae oriented?

Answer 8

Inferiorly and anteriorly.

Question 9

What type of joint is formed between the superior and inferior articular facets?

Answer 9

Facet (zygapophyseal) joints.

Question 10

What is the function of facet joint orientation in the cervical spine?

Answer 10

It directs and limits specific types of motion.

Question 11

What are uncinate processes?

Answer 11

Vertical projections from the lateral edges of cervical vertebral bodies (C3–C6).

Question 12

What is the primary function of the uncinate processes?

Answer 12

To provide vertical and frontal plane stability in the cervical spine.

Question 13

Which cervical vertebra is known as the atlas?

Answer 13

C1.

Question 14

Why is C1 called the atlas?

Answer 14

Because it supports the skull (the occiput rests upon it).

Question 15

What key feature does the atlas (C1) lack compared to other vertebrae?

Answer 15

A spinous process.

Question 16

What is found on the posterior aspect of C1 instead of a spinous process?

Answer 16

A posterior tubercle.

Question 17

How do the transverse processes of the atlas compare in size to other vertebrae?

Answer 17

They are very large.

Question 18

Why are the transverse processes of the atlas large?

Answer 18

They serve as attachment sites for small muscles that finely control head movement.

Question 19

What is unique about the superior articular facets of C1?

Answer 19

They are large and concave to receive the convex occipital condyles of the skull.

Question 20

What is the joint formed between the occipital condyles and the atlas called?

Answer 20

The atlanto-occipital (AO) joint.

Question 21

What motion primarily occurs at the atlanto-occipital (AO) joint?

Answer 21

Flexion and extension of the head (“yes” motion).

Question 22

Approximately what percentage of cervical flexion and extension occurs at the AO joint?

Answer 22

About 50%.

Question 23

What is the second cervical vertebra called?

Answer 23

The axis (C2).

Question 24

What unique structure projects vertically from the axis?

Answer 24

The dens (odontoid process).

Question 25

What is the function of the dens?

Answer 25

It acts as a pivot or fulcrum for rotation of the atlas and head.

Question 26

What is the joint between the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2) called?

Answer 26

The atlanto-axial (AA) joint.

Question 27

What motion primarily occurs at the atlanto-axial (AA) joint?

Answer 27

Rotation of the head (“no” motion).

Question 28

Approximately what percentage of cervical rotation occurs at the AA joint?

Answer 28

About 50%.

Question 29

What two joints account for most of the motion in the cervical spine?

Answer 29

The AO (atlanto-occipital) joint and the AA (atlanto-axial) joint.