Lecture - Cervical Spine

The Cervical Spine Three main characteristics distinguish cervical vertebrae from other vertebrae: A triangular vertebral foramen is exactly that. The bifid spinous process divides the spinous process distally. Transverse foramina are holes in the transverse process. They permit the passage of the vertebral artery, vein, and sympathetic nerves. The atlas and axis have characteristics that distinguish them from the other cervical vertebrae. The atlas, the first cervical vertebra, articulates with the occiput of the head and the axis. (C2). It differs from the other cervical vertebrae in that it lacks a vertebral body and a spinous process. In contrast, the atlas has lateral masses connected by an anterior and posterior arch. A facet on the anterior arch allows for articulation with the axis dens. The transverse ligament of the atlas, which connects to the lateral masses, holds this in place. The C1 spinal nerve and the vertebral artery are housed in a groove in the posterior arch. The axis is distinguished by the dens (odontoid process) that extends superiorly from the anterior portion of the vertebra. (C2). When the dens articulates with the anterior arch of the atlas, the medial atlanto-axial joint is formed. The head can now rotate independently of the torso. The two lateral atlanto-axial joints are formed by the superior articular facets of the axis articulating with the inferior articular facets of the atlas. There are two kinds of joints in the vertebral column: Intervertebral discs are fibrocartilage structures that connect adjacent vertebral bodies. This is a type of cartilaginous joint called a symphysis. The space between vertebral arches is formed by the articulation of superior and inferior articular processes from adjacent vertebrae. This is a synovial joint. The atlanto-axial joints are formed by the atlas and axis articulating: To form lateral atlanto-axial joints, the inferior facets of C1's lateral masses articulate with the superior facets of C2. (x2). These are synovial joints of the plane type. The medial atlanto-axial joint is formed by the dens of C2 articulating with the articular facet of C1. This is a synovial joint that pivots. The atlanto-occipital joints serve as the link between the spine and the cranium. They are situated at the base of the cranium, between the superior facets of the atlas' lateral masses and the occipital condyles. These are condyloid synovial joints that allow for head flexion and nodding. Concerning the cervical spine: The nuchal ligament is a supraspinous ligament extension. It connects to the tips of the spinous processes from C1 to C7 and serves as the rhomboids and trapezius muscles' proximal attachment point. The atlas transverse ligament connects and secures the lateral masses. The cervical spine is inextricably linked to a number of neurovascular structures in the neck. The cervical vertebrae's transverse foramina serve as a conduit for the vertebral artery, vein, and sympathetic nerves. C7 is the only exception, as the vertebral artery wraps around the vertebra instead of passing through the transverse foramen. The cervical vertebrae are inextricably linked to the spinal nerves. They extend from above their respective vertebrae through the intervertebral foramen formed by the articular processes. Again, C7 is an exception; it has spinal nerves that extend from above (C7) and below (C8) the vertebra. As a result, eight spinal nerves are linked to seven cervical vertebrae.