cervical spine

normal spine curve angles

cervical lordosis- 30-35 degrees

thoracic kyphosis- 40 degrees

lumbar lordosis- 45 degrees

atlas

c1

axis

c2

uncinate processes

bony projections on the cervical vertebrae that help stabilize the intervertebral joints.

saddle configuration

refers to the unique shape of the uncinate processes in the cervical spine that allows for stability and movement

occipital-atlas joint

The joint between the occipital bone of the skull and the atlas (C1) vertebra, allowing nodding and rotational movements of the head

atlantoaxis joint

The joint between the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2) vertebra, enabling rotation of the head

ligaments

longitudinal, transverse, alar

arthrokinematics

rotation, slide

facet joints/zygoapophyseal joint

inferior articular process of the vertebra above and the superior articular process from the vertebra below

plane joints, rotation and slide

-joint capsule

within the joint / “intraarticular inclusions”

-fat pads

-fibro-adipotic meniscoids

-capsular rims

muscles

levator scapula

splenius cervicis: stops at top of cervical spine

splenius capitis: goes up to base of skull

scalenes: anterior

semispinalis: cervicis, capitis and thoracis

multifidi: help stabilize vertabrae

sternocleidomastoid

rectus capitus, longus capitus, longus colli

ligaments

ligamentum nuchae

ligamentum flavum

posterior longitudinal ligament

anterior longitudinal ligament