Anatomy

The cervical spine is made up of the first seven vertebrae in the spine. It starts just below the skull and ends at the top of the thoracic spine. The cervical spine has a backward "C" shape (lordotic curve) the cervical spine has special openings in each vertebrae for the arteries that carry blood to the brain. The first two vertebral bodies in the cervical spine are called the atlas and the axis. The atlas is named after a Greek god who supported the weight of the world on his shoulders, because this is the vertebral body that supports the weight of you head. The atlas and axis vertebrae in the cervical spine differ from all other vertebrae because they are designed primarily for rotation. The atlas has a thick forward (anterior) arch and a thin back (posterior) arch, with two prominent masses. The axis sits underneath the atlas and has a bony knob called the odontoid process that sticks up through the hole in the atlas. It is this mechanism that allows the head to turn from side to side. There are special ligaments between these two vertebrae to allow for rotation between these two bones Between each vertebra in the cervical spine are discs which act as cushions or shock absorbers and also permit some movement between the vertebral bodies

Altas Inferior View

Altas Superior View

Axis Posterior View

Axis is the second cervical vertebra. The dens of C2 articulates with C1 a Axis is the second cervical vertebra. The dens of C2 articulates

C4 Superior View

C4 Lateral

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ult Cervical Spine - Odontoid View

The most common routine cervical projections are the anteroposterior (AP), AP open mouth, and lateral. Lateral projection of the cervical spine Technical factors 70-80 kVp range, mAs 28 Use of grid is optional Minimum SID of 60 inches-72 inches (150-180 cm Positioning for a lateral projection of the cervical spine For non-trauma cases, position the patient in a lateral position, either seated or standing, with the patients shoulder against a vertical cassette holder Center the mid-coronal plane (the plane that passes through the mastoid tips) to the midline of the cassette. Adjust the shoulders to lie in the same horizontal plane and be sure the patients body is in a true lateral position with the long axis of the cervical vertebrae parallel to the plane of the cassette. Ask the patient to elevate the chin slightly (to prevent superimposition of the upper cervical spine by the mandible).

As a final step before exposure, ask the patient to relax and drop the shoulders down and forward as far as possible. Be careful to ensure that the patient does not elevate the shoulders. When radiographing a trauma patient, do not remove cervical collar and do not manipulate the head or neck. With the patient in the supine position on a stretcher or radiographic table, support the cassette vertically against their shoulder, or place the stretcher next to a vertical grid device. The central ray (CR) should be perpendicular to the cassette and will be directed horizontally to C-4 (level of upper margin of thyroid cartilage