AP05: Cervical Vertebrae

Label this image

Label this diagram

How do typical cervical vertebrae differ from those of the thoracic and lumbar regions

They have features including:

-bifid spinous process

-triangular spinal canal

-transverse foramen

which are not present in the cervical vertebrae of the thoracic and lumbar regions

cervical vertebrae are also smaller and weigh less

Which cervical vertebrae is this, label this diagram

Atlas

Which structure runs through the groove on the superior aspect of the posterior arch and how does it enter the cranial cavity

vertebral artery

enters the cranial cavity via the foramen mangun

Contents of the vertebral foramen

spinal cord

surrounding meninges

spinal nerve roots

adipose tissue

blood vessels (e.g. vertebral venous plexus which drains blood from the vertebrae and spinal cord and the spinal arteries)

Contents of the transverse foramen

vertebral artery and vein

sympathetic nerve plexus

How would you distinguish between the superior and inferior articular facets of the atlas

superior facets- more curved, articulate with the occipital condyles, look for the superior groove on the posterior arch of atlas

inferior facets- more flat

Which cervical vertebrae is this, label this image

Axis

What prevents the horizontal displacement of axis

transverse ligament

From which structure is the dens derived?

fusion of the former body of the atlas with the body of axis

What is the advantage of having a bifid spinous process

increased surface area for attachments of ligaments and muscles

What is the main function of short ligaments

stabilise adjacent vertebrae by limiting excessive movement

What are the 4 major short ligaments of the vertebral column

nuchal ligaments

ligamentum flavum

supraspinous

interspinous

Ligamentum flavum

pair of highly elastic, yellow-colored ligaments connecting the laminae of adjacent vertebrae from C2 to S1

Supraspinous ligament

a strong, fibrous cord running along the tips of the vertebral spinous processes from C7 to the lumbar region (usually L3-L4)

Nuchal ligament

-continuation of the supraspinous ligament in the cervical spine

-extends from the spinous process of C7 vertebra to the external occipital protuberance

Interspinous ligament

a series of thin, membranous connective tissues spanning between adjacent spinous processes from the cervical to the lumbar spine

What are the 2 major long ligaments of the vertebral column

anterior and posterior longitudinal ligament

anterior longitudinal ligament

attached to anterior surfaces of vertebral bodies from axis to sacrum

posterior longitudinal ligament

attached to posterior surface of vertebral bodies from axis to sacrum, within vertebral foramina

Ligaments diagram

Which cervical vertebrae is this, label this diagram

C7- vertebra prominens

How is C7 morphologically and anatomically different from typical cervical vertebrae

-Smaller transverse foramina

-Vertebral artery doesn’t pass through the transverse foramina

-Larger non-bifid spinous process