2. INTRODUCTION
There are seven cervical
vertebrae
They are identified by the
presence of foramina
transversaria
They are divided in to typical
and Atypical cervical vertebrae
Ist, 2nd and 7th are Atypical and
3rd to 6th are typical vertebrae.
5. BODY
Small & broader
Concave superior surface with upward projecting lip
Anterior surface is beveled
Inferior surface is saddle shaped
Anterior border proiects downward &
hide intervertebral disc
Inter vertebral foramina
(superior /inferior vertebral notches in
pedicle)
7. VERTEBRAL ARCH
Pedicles are directed backwards and laterally
Superior and inferior notches are of equal sizes
Laminae are relatively long and narrow, thinner above than
below
superior & inferior articular processes - form articular pillars,
project laterally at the junction of pedicle and the lamina
8. TRANSVERSE PROCESS
Transverse process:
Pierced bv Foramen transversaria
Each TP has two roots- ends as tubercle - ant & post tubercle
Joined by costotransverse bar
Costal element = tubercles +
CT bar
Site for articulation with ribs
Ant tubercle of 6th CV is large
carotid tubercle
9. Spine - short & bifid
Notch is filled by
ligamentum nuchae
Gives origin to deep
muscles of the back
of the neck
10. ATTACHMENTS AND RELATIONS
Anterior & posterior
longitudinal ligaments are
attached to the upper and
lower borders of the body.
Upper borders and lower
parts of the anterior
surfaces of the lamina
provide attachment to the
ligament flava
12. Anterior tubercle:
scalenus anterior, longus capitis
oblique part of the longus colli
Posterior tubercle- scalenus
medius, scalenu posterior,
levator scapula splenius cervicis
longissimus cervicis,iliocostalis
cervic
Costotransverse bar- Ant.
Primary Rami of the
Corresponding cervical nerve.
13. FIRST CERVICAL VERTEBRAE / ATLAS
Ring shaped
No body
No spine
Short ant arch
Long posterior arch
Rt & Lt masses
Transverse process
14. Posterior arch - longer than ant
arch
Median posterior tubercle
Lateral mass: superior articular
facet, groove
Atlanto-occipital joint
15. Inferior surface : inferior articular facet, circular, more or less flat,
directed
downward , medially and backward
Articulates with corresponding axis vertebra
to form atlanto-axial joint
Medial surface has a roughened tubercle-
transverse ligament
transverse process projects laterally from
lateral mass - long, acts as lever for
rotatory movements of head , pierced by
foramen transversarium
16. ATTACHMENTS OF ATLAS VERTEBRAE
Anterior tubercle- anterior longitudinal ligament
On each side - longus colli
Upper border of the anterior arch gives attachment to
the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane
Posterior tubercle provides attachment to the
ligamentum nuchae in the median plane and gives
origin to the rectus capitis posterior minor on each
side
17. Groove on the upper surface
of the posterior arch is
occupied
by the vertebral artery and by
the first cervical nerve.
19. 1. Ant. Arch Ant. atlanto-occipital
membrane,
2. Post. Arch Post. atlanto-occipital
membrane
3. Transverse process.
4. superior articular facet
5. Neural canal. Spinal cord
6. Foramen transversarium- Vertebral
vessles
7. Groove for vertebral a.
8. Tubercle for tr. Ligament.
9. Facet for dense of axis
10.Post. Tubercle LIgamantum nuchao
11.Ant. Tubercle Ant. Longitudinal ligament
20. SECOND CERVICAL VERTEBRAE / AXIS
Identified by the presence of dens or odontoid
process (strong tooth like process projecting
upwards from the body)
Superior surface of the body- fused with Dens
Dens articulates anteriorly with ant arch of
atlas, posteriorly with transverse ligament of
atlas
Superior articular facets
Inferior surface - prominent ant margin which
projects downwards
21. VERTEBRAL ARCH
Pedicle- superior articular
facet (circular directed upward
and laterally)
Inferior surface - deep wide inf
vertebral notch
Lamina- superior vertebral
notch behind the sup articular
process
Lamina - thick & strong
22. Transverse process
Spine : large , thick, very strong, grooved inferiorly, bifid
23. ATTACHMENTS
Ant surface of body- longus coli,
ant longitudinal ligament
Post surface of body-post
longitudinal ligament, cruciate
ligament, membrana tectoria
Tip of transverse process-
levatoor scapulae, sclenus
medius
Spine - ligamentum nuchae,
vertebral muscles
25. SEVENTH CERVICAL VERTEBRAE
Long ,thick, horizontal spinous
process
Not bifid, ends in a tubercle
Transverse process- large , post
root is larger than
ant
Ant tubercle is absent
Small foramen transversarium -
sometimes double/ absent