PathologyĪnterior subluxation of the cervical spine results from posterior ligamentous complex injury, however, there may be an associated posterior intervertebral disc injury and compression fractures of the anterior vertebral bodies 1-3.Ĭauses include motor vehicle collisions (most common), diving into shallow water, falls and direct trauma 3. Your patient has a fracture that involves C1, C2, or C3, and the fracture. Radiographs of the spine revealed multilevel cervical spondylosis deformans, disc space narrowing. The dens or odontoid process, protrudes cranially into and lies upon. The axis (C2) is the longest of the cervical vertebrae and has a large, easily identifiable spinous process. It articulates with the occipital condyles cranially and C2 caudally. Your cervical spine is also surrounded by muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments. The swelling should not exceed 10 mm at C1, 5 mm at C3, and 15 to 20 mm at C6 spinal level in a healthy inflammatory response. Pros and Cons of X-ray versus CT in imaging for cervical spine fractures. The atlas (C1) is easily distinguished by its lack of a spinous process and short, blocky shape. Your seven cervical vertebrae (C1 to C7) are connected at the back of the bone by a type of joint (called facet joints), which allow for the forward, backward and twisting motions of your neck. The anatomical orientation of C01 and C12 joints, constrained by a unique array of ligaments, originates the most mobile segment of the all spine. If any swelling is present, the determination of its size is essential. The upper cervical spine, including C0C1C2, is a unique anatomical and functional unit. Truncal vertebrae (divided into thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in mammals) lie caudal (toward the tail) of. In tetrapods, cervical vertebrae ( SG: vertebra) are the vertebrae of the neck, immediately below the skull. It consists of 7 bones, from top to bottom, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7. There may be neurological symptoms due to spinal cord injury. A lateral X-ray of the spine is usually done after the operative procedure to see if any soft tissue swelling is present or not. Position of human cervical vertebrae (shown in red). Patients present with severe, focal neck pain.

C1 c2 c3 cervical spine x ray