The cervical spine is one of the five sections of the human spine, which consists of seven vertebrae. It is most mobile in the body due to light loads. In international standards, the vertebrae of the cervical spine are usually designated as C1 - C7, but among them there are two unique vertebrae that have their own names.
Instructions
Step 1
The first vertebra is C1, called atlas. Named after the titan Atlanta, who holds the sky over him. So he seems to be holding a skull on him. In fact, the atlas is only a link with the rest of the spine. It does not have a body, but in fact is a ring consisting of two arcs: anterior and posterior, connected by lateral masses and two lateral formations. It is attached to the occipital foramen with the help of condyles, and from below its articular surface is almost flat. On the posterior arch, it has a small depression, with which the tooth of the second vertebra is docked. It has a very large spinal foramen so that in the event of sudden movements and slight displacement that may follow, there is no damage to the spinal cord.
Step 2
The second vertebra is C2, called the axis. It is unique in that during the formation of the skeleton in the embryonic period, the body of the first vertebra grows to it, forming the so-called tooth. The anterior and posterior articular surfaces are located at the apex of the tooth, the anterior one connects with the fossa on the atlas, and the posterior one with its transverse ligament. Around it, the atlas moves with the occipital bone, as if around its axis, therefore it is also called the axial vertebra. The spinous process is very strong and large, much more massive than that of the rest of the cervical vertebrae.
Step 3
The third, fourth, fifth and sixth vertebrae - C3, C4, C5, C6 do not have their own names (vertebra cervicalis). In fact, they are no different from each other, so they are simply called by their ordinal number, for example, the fourth vertebra or the sixth vertebra. Since there are no great pressures on the cervical vertebrae, they are small and have low bodies, which explains the high probability of injury to this part of the spine. Each of them has an almost triangular vertebral foramen, and the transverse processes have an opening through which the vertebral artery passes. The ends of the transverse processes have two tubercles: anterior and posterior. The anterior tubercle of the sixth vertebra is slightly better developed, therefore, with severe bleeding, the common carotid artery can be pressed against it. The spinous processes of these four vertebrae are relatively short.
Step 4
The seventh vertebra - C7 does not have its own name, but for slight differences in structure it is called a protruding vertebra (vertebra prominens). Since it has a very long spinous process, which is easily felt through the skin, and it is used to count the vertebrae in patient examinations. Otherwise, its structure is almost completely identical to the four previous vertebrae.
