![]() Examples of the outer ligaments are atlanto-occipital, anterior atlantooccipital, and anterior longitudinal ligaments. Ligaments of the cervical spine can further group as external and internal ligaments. Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligament (covering the vertebral body ), ligamentum flavum (connects the laminae), and interspinous ligament (connects the spinous process) are present at every vertebral level, whereas the nuchal ligament (connects the tip of the spinous process and provides attachment for muscles) and transverse ligament of the atlas are present in the cervical spine only. But there are a few ligaments that are unique and present in the cervical spine only. The vertebral column has some ligaments which are present throughout the spine. Among the eight pairs of cervical spinal nerves, C1-C7 rootlets exit the spinal canal through the superior notch of corresponding cervical vertebrae and C8 through the inferior notch of the C7 vertebra. The Intervertebral foramen or neuroforamen is bounded by the superior notch and inferior notch of the corresponding vertebrae and acts as an exit path for spinal nerve rootlets. Vertebral articulations in the spinal column integrate vertebral foramina into a continuous canal named the spinal canal, whereas intervertebral foramina form on either side of each pair of vertebrae. Having inferior facets and spinous processes, it resembles thoracic vertebrae hence called transitional vertebrae. Additionally, C7 has a slightly larger vertebral body and smaller vertebral foramen than other cervical vertebrae and does not contain the vertebral artery. This articulation provides additional stability and prevents cervical vertebral listhesis (spondylolisthesis). The uncinate process is a characteristic feature of lower cervical vertebrae that articulates with a depressed area of the adjacent upper vertebral body. In contrast with the upper cervical vertebrae, all five vertebrae in the lower cervical spine possess a vertebral body with superior concave and inferior convex surfaces. ![]() ![]() A transverse ligament runs posterior to the dens and attaches with either lateral mass of the atlas, preventing anterior subluxation of the atlas on the axis. This median atlantoaxial joint allows free rotation of the head without involving the trunk. ![]() The odontoid process of axis or dens is the remnant of the C1 body that fused with the body of the axis and became a unique identity for C2. While in the medial aspect, the odontoid process of axis or dens articulates with an anterior arch of the axis as the median atlantoaxial joint. While working together, the atlas and axis primarily allow spinal rotation, flexion, and extension and are thus considered the most flexible segment of the entire spine.Ītlas is a unique ring-shaped vertebra lacking a vertebral body that articulates with the occiput above and axis below by corresponding condyles on its lateral masses. The ring-shaped atlas lacks a body and spinous process, potentially responsible for supporting the head. They reside in the spine's craniovertebral junction, where the base of the skull meets the spinal column. Besides this, anatomical and functional similarity provides an opportunity to describe the cervical vertebrae into the upper and lower cervical spine.Ītlas (C1) and axis (C2) are the first two cervical vertebrae and are named separately due to their distinctive anatomical features. The third unique characteristic is the presence of transverse foramina, which transmits vertebral arteries on either side of the cervical spine. Their bifid spinous processes provide a space for nuchal ligamental attachment, and triangular vertebral foramina accommodate the thicker cervical spinal cord. Cervical vertebrae have unique anatomical features that distinguish them well from other spine areas. Each vertebra of the spinal column is usually made up of a body, spinous process, vertebral foramen, bilateral transverse processes, and pairs of superior and inferior articular facets. ![]()
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