What does the Odontoid process do?

What does the Odontoid process do?

The odontoid process lies anterior to the spinal cord and is used as the pivot for the rotation of the head. The C1 vertebra, carrying the cranium, rotates on this. The craniovertebral joint between the atlas and the axis is called, the atlanto-axial joint.

Where is the Odontoid bone located?

The odontoid process, also known as the dens, is an upward projectile of bone that arises from the front part of the center of the axis vertebra. (The axis is the 2nd highest spinal bone.) The atlas is the first bone of your neck; it sits on top of the axis.

How long does it take for a C2 fracture to heal?

Treatment for type I C2 (axis) fractures is hard-collar immobilization for 6-8 weeks, which usually is quite successful. Type II fractures can be managed conservatively or surgically. Treatment options include the following: Halo immobilization.

Can C1 and C2 cause headaches?

Role of Spinal Nerves C1, C2 and/or C3 may be involved in development of cervicogenic headaches because these nerves enable function (movement) and sensation of the head and neck. Nerve compression can cause inflammation and pain.

Does C2 have a body?

The upper cervical spine consists of the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2). The atlas is ring-shaped and does not have a body, unlike the rest of the vertebrae. Fused remnants of the atlas body have become part of C2, where they are called the odontoid process, or dens.

Can you survive a C2 fracture?

Successful repair of the broken parts of the bone can lead to excellent recoveries. The long-term prognosis is good. In some cases, the C2 and C3 vertebrae are fused together.

What does C1 C2 control?

The C1 vertebrae is named atlas and the C2 vertebrae is named axis. As well as protecting the spinal cord, these vertebrae are primarily responsible for facilitating and controlling the large range of movement that your neck has, and supporting the considerable weight of your skull at the tip of your spine.

What’s the difference between C1 and C2?

What is the Difference Between C1 and C2? C1 is the topmost vertebra that holds the skull while the C2 is the second topmost vertebra that provides an axis to rotate skull and C1 when the head moves side to side. Atlas vertebra is a synonym of C1 while the axis vertebra is a synonym of C2.

How do you know if your atlas is misaligned?

How Can I Tell If I Have A Vertebral Subluxation?

1. neck pain, tenderness, soreness and stiffness.
2. back pain, tenderness, soreness and stiffness.
3. headaches.
4. dizziness or balance problems.
5. spinal muscle spasm, tightness or weakness.
6. reduced spinal mobility.
7. pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities.
8. joint pain and stiffness.

What happens when your C1 is out of place?

If the C1 or C2 vertebra is out of place, they can be placing undue pressure on the brainstem, causing it to send improper signals to the brain. The brain may think the body is in motion when it is not actually moving, leading to the symptoms of vertigo.

What does Craniocervical instability feel like?

Symptoms[edit | edit source] Symptoms of craniocervical instability include occipital headache, neck pain and neurological abnormalities such as numbness, motor weakness, dizziness, and gait instability. Patients sometimes describe the feeling that their head is too heavy for their neck to support (“bobble-head”).

How do you test for Craniocervical instability?

Craniocervical instability diagnosis is given by performing an Upright Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that allows evaluating the craniocervical junction in an upright position as well as the evaluation of the patients’ anatomy in flexion & extension and neck rotation.

How is Craniocervical instability treated?

Treatment. Conservative treatment of craniocervical instability includes physical therapy and the use of a cervical collar to keep the neck stable. Cervical spinal fusion is performed on patients with more severe symptoms.

What is Cervicobrachial syndrome?

It refers to a cervical syndrome with pain radiating into the upper limb. Cervicobrachial syndrome was, therefore, previously known as “lower cervical syndrome”. It is characterized by pain, numbness, weakness, and swelling in the region of the neck and shoulder.

What causes Cervicobrachial syndrome?

Cervical, Brachial Spine Pain – What Causes Cervicobrachial Syndrome? When your cervical spine (the vertebrae of the neck) is out of alignment, it can lead to impingement of the brachial plexus.

What is a positive Spurling sign?

The Spurling test is used to help diagnose cervical radiculopathy. If you feel any pain during the test, it’s considered a positive result. This means you may have cervical radiculopathy. A normal result means you don’t feel any pain and suggests you don’t have cervical radiculopathy.

What is Bakody sign?

A test for cervical nerve root pain in C4-C6. The test is considered suggestive but not diagnostic of cervical neuropathy if pain decreases when the patient places his or her hand on top of his or her head.

How do you perform a Spurling test?

The Spurling test is a medical maneuver used to assess nerve root pain (also known as radicular pain). The examiner turns the patient’s head to the affected side while extending and applying downward pressure to the top of the patient’s head.

What is distraction test?

The SIJ (Sacroiliac Joint) Distraction (Colloquially know as Gapping) test is used to add evidence, positive or negative, to the hypotheses of an SIJ sprain or dysfunction when used in the Laslett SIJ Cluster testing. This test stresses the anterior sacroiliac ligaments.