Dalley, 10th Edition

Chapter 2 ■ Back

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of the vertebral column in this region (see Fig. 2.9). Regional variations in the size and shape of the vertebral canal accom modate the varying thickness of the spinal cord (Fig. 2.2D). CERVICAL VERTEBRAE Cervical vertebrae form the skeleton of the neck (Figs. 2.2 and 2.7). The smallest of the 24 movable vertebrae, the cervical vertebrae are located between the cranium and

thoracic vertebrae. Their smaller size re ects the fact that they bear less weight than do the larger inferior vertebrae. Although the cervical IV discs are thinner than those of infe rior regions, they are relatively thick compared to the size of the vertebral bodies they connect. The relative thickness of the IV discs, the nearly horizontal orientation of the articular facets, and the small amount of surrounding body mass give the cervical region the greatest range and variety of move ment of all the vertebral regions.

Groove for vertebral artery Posterior tubercle

Posterior arch

Tubercle for transverse ligament Superior articular surface (process) Foramen transversarium Transverse process

Lateral mass

Anterior tubercle Facet for dens

Anterior arch

Atlas (C1)

Inferior articular process

Superior lip

Transverse process

C4

Pars interarticularis

Zygapophysial joint

Dens Superior articular facet

Inferior lip

Axis (C2)

C5

Groove for spinal nerve

Anterior tubercle Groove for spinal nerve Posterior tubercle

Inferior articular facet

Transverse process

(B) Lateral view, articulated typical cervical vertebrae

C3

Typical cervical vertebrae

Vertebral foramen

Angles of right mandible

Foramen transversarium

C4

Posterior arch Anterior arch

Spinous process

of atlas (C1)

Dens of C2 Hyoid (H) Transverse process

Uncus of body (uncinate process)

C2

C5

C3

Inferior

Articular process

Spinous process of C7 Zygapophysial (facet) joint Superior articular process Inferior articular process

H

Superior

C4

Carotid tubercle

C6

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C5

C6

Vertebral canal

C7

Vestigial anterior tubercle

C7

FIGURE 2.7. Cervical vertebrae. A. Comparison of cervical vertebrae. C1, C2, and C7 vertebrae are atypical. B. Articulation of cervical vertebrae. The superior and inferior surfaces of the bodies of the cervical vertebrae are reciprocally convex and concave. Combined with the oblique orientation of the articular facets, this facilitates exion and extension as well as lateral exion. C. Alignment of cervical vertebrae. The anterior arch of the atlas lies anterior to the continuous curved line formed by the anterior surfaces of the C2–C7 vertebral bodies. (C) Lateral radiograph (A) Superior views