Structure and Function of the Cervical Spine

Introduction:

Cervical spine spine starts at base of skull superiorly,ends above thoracic spine inferiorly and it could be called (neck).Neck joins head with trunk and limbs and it works as a major conduit for structures between them. Flexibility of neck movement allows and maximise necessary positions to head functions and its sensory organs. There are many important structures in neck area like nerves, muscles,arteries,veins, vertebrates, lymphatics,glands, oesophagus and trachea. Due to these important structures and lack of bony protection in neck area,it is considered as a region of vulnerability. The main arterial blood supply for head and neck is carotid arteries and principal venous drainage is jugular veins.Carotid and Jugular are commonly injured in penetrating wound of neck. Brachial plexues of nerves originates in neck and travels inferiorly to upper limb. In anterior aspect of neck,there is thyroid cartilage (largest cartilage of thyroid and trachea).

Bony Structure of Neck:

It consists of 7 cervical vertebrates from C1 to C7, hyoid bone,manubrium of sternum and clavicles. Cervical spine has a lordotic curve ( C shaped curve ). According to peculiarities of cervical vertebrates,it could be divided in to two groups:

• Superior cervical group: made up by C1 and C2.
  

• Inferior cervical group: made up by C3 to C7.

Superior cervical Group:

C1 called atlas and C2 called axis and they have some differences than other vertebrae, Atlas C1 is ring like shape , it has no body and no spinous process,

C2 looks like other cervical vertebrae but most distinctive feature is odontoid process or tooth which placed vertically on superior surface of vertebral body with two articular facets( anterior and posterior) which articulate with atlas bone and atlas transverse ligament. C2 has smaller and triangular vertebral foramen.

Inferior Cervical Group:

It is made up of 5 vertebrea from C3 TO C7 with similar characteristics like smaller vertebral body with two rafes at lateral sides directed Superiorly called spinous processes,two pedicles directed backwards and transverse process located anteriorly.C7 may be considered typical or atypical but has two distinct features. The first is that unlike the rest of the cervical vertebrae, is that the vertebral artery does not traverse the transverse foramen. The second is that it contains a long spinous process, also known as “vertebra prominens.” .

Cervical spine joints:

Joints between vertebrae are made for spine mobility, Movements of superior cervical spine joint and inferior cervical spine joints functionally completing each others allowing movements like rotation,flexion,extension and inclination of head.

Superior cervical spine joints:

• Atanto-occipital joint :is aligned to permit movement of nodding (Flexion and extension) and turning(Lateral flexionand rotation)peculiar at this level. For more details please follow this link, Index.php?title=Atlanto-occipital joint&oldid=184161.
• Atlanto- Axial joint : It compromise 3 synovial joints one central Atlanto- Odontoid joint and 2 Lateral Atlanto- Axial joints.Allows about 50% of cervical rotation,flextion about 10 degrees and limited extention. For more details please follow this link: Index.php?title=Atlanto-axial joint&oldid=174590.

Inferior Cervical spine joints: joints between adjacent cervical vertebrae

Intervertebral (inter-body)joints: below C2 adjacent cervical vertebrae are linked by intervertebral disc at inter-body joint which is termed symphysis .Discs allow and restrain movement .These joints are saddle articuation.It is reinforced by anterior longitudinal ligament anteriorly and Posterior longitudinal ligament Posteriorly,

Apophyseal Joints: it is formed by articulation of inferior facets of vertebrae and superior facet of adjacent vertebrae.Direction and range of movement of these joints depend on orientation of articular facets.These joints allow flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion.Degenerative changes at these joints are very common due to weight-bearing functions.

The Uncovertebral Joints (Joints of Luschka) : Opinions are divided whether these structures are joints or pseudoarthrosis. The clinical significance of these structures is the high tendency of developing degenerative changes that may impinge vertebral artery,cervical nerve roots or anterior part of spinal cord.

Ligaments of Cervical Spine:

-Craniovertebral Ligaments: Stability of this region depends on integrity of ligaments of upper cervical spine and this has an important consideration in examining and treating cervical region.Ligaments from anterior to posterior:

• Anterior atlanto-occipital membrane: it connects between foramen-magnum above and atlas below, it continues with anterior longitudinal ligament.
• The Apical ligament: it is short and attaches anterior part of foramen- magnum.
• The Alar ligaments: they are symmetrically placed and inserted onto occipital -condyles. Rotation to right are limited to by left alar ligament and vice-verca. Damage of Alar ligaments by trauma or inflammatory disease can result in increase axial rotation between occiput and atlas and atlas and axis for more details please follow link ; : https://www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?title=Alar_ligaments&oldid=184151.
• Membrane of Tectoria: Connecting posterior surface of body of axis to the basiocciput. It is prolongation of posterior longitudinal ligament and it is found in internal surface of vertebral canal For more details please follow link; Index.php?title=Tectorial membrane&oldid=171265.
• Transverse ligament of Atlas.
• Accessory Atanto- Axial Ligaments .
• Posteri Atlanto- Occipital Membrane.
• Lateral Atlanto- Occipital Ligamments.