Cervical Spine

Question 1

C Vertebrae - Body

Answer 1

small
wider side to side than anteroposteriorly
superior surface is concave between adjacent (uncinate) processes
inferior surface is convex

Question 2

C Vertebrae - Vertebral foramen

Answer 2

large and triangular

Question 3

C Vertebrae - Transverse processes

Answer 3

transverse foramen (but small/absent in C7) for vertebral arteries
looks like a gutter
have anterior and posterior tubercles
*tubercles make groove for spinal nerve

Question 4

C Vertebrae - Articular processes

Answer 4

superior facets directed superoposteriorly
inferior facets directed inferoanteriorly
*hands on shoulders

Question 5

C Vertebrae - Spinous processes

Answer 5

C3-C5 are short and bifid
process of C6 is long, but C7 is longer
C7 is called vertebra prominens

Question 6

C Vertebrae - Atlas characteristics

Answer 6

C1

• ring-like; kidney shaped when viewed superiorly or inferiorly
• no spinous process or body (2 lateral masses connected by anterior and posterior arches)
• concave superior articular facets form atlanto-occipital joints with the occipital condyles
• flat inferior facets meet with C2 to form lateral atlanto-axial joints

Question 7

C Vertebrae - Axis characteristics

Answer 7

C2

• strongest cervical vertebrae
• dens: projects superiorly from body and provides pivot point for the atlas to turn
• articulates anteriorly with anterior arch of the atlas
• articulates posteriorly with transverse ligament of the atlas

Question 8

C Vertebrae - Uncinate process

Answer 8

hold c vertebrae together