Bones in the Cervical Spine

C1 (Atlas)

C2 (Axis)

C3

C4

C5

C6

C7

Occiput

Atlanto-occiptal joint

Atlanto-axial joint

Typical Vertebra

Separated by facet joints and intervertabral discs

Longer more prominant spinious processes

Continues to have a body, supporting the head and neck

V.B and TP separated by pedicle.

TP have transverse foramen, where the artery runs through

There is also intervertabral foramen, where nerves exit.

The SP and TP are joined by the lamena

VB have projections called Unicinate process, which make the Joints of Luschka

Includes the odontoid peg

Has the first spinious process to be felt

Superior facets are convex to form congruency with the atlas

Inferior VB is superior to the intervertabral disc between C2/3

NO VB or SP

Instead an anterior and posterior arch.

Provides 50% of the rotation at the neck

Provides 50% of the flexion and extension at the neck

Anterior arch, articulates with the dens, so has a facet to ease rotation

Superior facets of the axis are congruent with the condyls on the occiput

Connects to the cervical spine via atlanto-occiptal joint