Cervical Spine Anatomy and Movements: Key Structures and Functions

Primary role of the skull and cervical spine?

Protect the brain and spinal cord

What does not possess a spinous process or body

C1: The Atlas

What does the atlas contain?

Two foramen; one for the spinal cord and one to accommodate the dens which articulates inferiorly from the C2 vertebrae

What is the strongest cervical vertebrae

C2: Axis

What is the axis's distinguishing feature?

The "odontoid process" which projects superiorly from its body and provides a pivot around which the atlas rotates.

What is distinctive characteristics of the C3-C7 region?

Bifid Spinous Process, Transverse Foramen, 8 nerve roots, Flat wide body

Main bony anatomy of the skull?

Temporal bone, Frontal bone, Occipital Bone, Parietal Bone

Bony anatomy of the facial of the skull?

Mandible, zygomatic, maxila

What is in the neck?

atlanto-occipital joint, atlantoaxial joint complex, and the intracervical joints (C3-C7).

What are the Atlanto-occipital joint kinematics?

Flexion: 5 degrees, Extension: 10 degrees, Rotation: 0 degrees, Lateral Flexion: 5 degrees

How is the atlantoaxial's median joint formed?

By the dens of the axis

What kind of joint is the atlantoaxial joint?

A pivot joint.

What are the median joint's kinematics?

Flexion: 5 degrees, Extension: 10 degrees, Rotation: 35-40 degrees, Lateral Flexion: 0 degrees

What is the movement of the intracervical region affected by?

The thoracic spine and scapula; given many muscles that originate from these structures attach to the cervical spine

What are the kinematics of the intracervical joints?

Flexion: 35-40 degrees, Extension: 55-60 degrees, Rotation: 30-35 degrees, Lateral Flexion: 30-35 degrees

What does the sternocleidomastoid do?

Laterally flex the head and neck to the same side, rotate to the opposite side, and bilaterally flex the neck

What does the scalenes (anterior, middle, and posterior) do?

With the ribs fixed, laterally flex the head and neck to the same side, rotate to the opposite side, and bilaterally flex the neck

What does the Longus Colli and Capitis do?

Laterally flex the head and neck to the same side, rotate to the same side, bilaterally flex the neck

What does the Splenius Capitis and Cervicis do?

Rotate and laterally flex the head and neck to the same side, bilaterally extend the head and neck

What does the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major do?

extend and rotate the head to the same side

What does the Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor do?

extend the head

What does the Obliquus Capitis Superior do?

extend and laterally flex the head to the same side

What does the Obliquus Capitis Inferior do?

rotate the head to the same side

What does the Upper Trapezius do?

bilaterally extend the head and neck, laterally flex to the same side, and rotate the head and neck to the opposite side

What does the Levator Scapula do?

bilaterally extend the head and neck, rotate and laterally flex the head and neck to the same side