SYSTEM

Atlantoaxial joint anatomy test.

Assess knowledge of atlantoaxial joint anatomy. The test covers their structure, ligaments, biomechanics, muscles, blood supply, and innervation.

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1. To which type of joints by articular surfaces' shape does the median atlantoaxial joint belong?

Ball-and-socket

The median atlantoaxial joint is a cylindrical (pivot) joint.
Cylinder-shaped

The median atlantoaxial joint is a cylindrical (pivot) joint.
Ellipsoidal

The median atlantoaxial joint is a cylindrical (pivot) joint.
Flat

The median atlantoaxial joint is a cylindrical (pivot) joint.
I find it difficult to answer

The median atlantoaxial joint is a cylindrical (pivot) joint.

2. What movements are possible in the lateral atlantoaxial joint?

Flexion and extension

The lateral atlantoaxial joint is flat, allowing for gliding during head rotation.
Abduction and adduction

The lateral atlantoaxial joint is flat, allowing for gliding during head rotation.
Sliding with displacement of articular surfaces.

The lateral atlantoaxial joint is flat, allowing for gliding during head rotation.
Circumduction (circular movement).

The lateral atlantoaxial joint is flat, allowing for gliding during head rotation.
I find it difficult to answer

The lateral atlantoaxial joint is flat, allowing for gliding during head rotation.

3. Which ligament holds the odontoid process of the axis pressed against the anterior arch of the atlas?

Alar ligament.

The transverse ligament of the atlas is stretched between the lateral masses of the atlas and firmly holds the dens.
Transverse ligament of atlas.

The transverse ligament of the atlas is stretched between the lateral masses of the atlas and firmly holds the dens.
Apex ligament of the odontoid process.

The transverse ligament of the atlas is stretched between the lateral masses of the atlas and firmly holds the dens.
Tectorial membrane

The transverse ligament of the atlas is stretched between the lateral masses of the atlas and firmly holds the dens.
I find it difficult to answer

The transverse ligament of the atlas is stretched between the lateral masses of the atlas and firmly holds the dens.

4. What is the continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament at the level of the atlantoaxial joints?

Cruciform ligament.

The tectorial membrane is an extended continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Anterior atlantoaxial membrane.

The tectorial membrane is an extended continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Tectorial membrane (membrana tectoria).

The tectorial membrane is an extended continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Nuchal ligament

The tectorial membrane is an extended continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
I find it difficult to answer

The tectorial membrane is an extended continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

5. From which arteries does the blood supply to the atlantoaxial joints primarily originate?

Internal carotid arteries.

Blood supply is provided by muscular and spinal branches of the vertebral arteries.
Branches of the vertebral artery.

Blood supply is provided by muscular and spinal branches of the vertebral arteries.
Ascending pharyngeal artery

Blood supply is provided by muscular and spinal branches of the vertebral arteries.
External carotid artery

Blood supply is provided by muscular and spinal branches of the vertebral arteries.
I find it difficult to answer

Blood supply is provided by muscular and spinal branches of the vertebral arteries.

6. Which muscle acting on the atlantoaxial joint originates from the spinous process of the axis and attaches to the transverse process of the atlas?

Rectus posterior major capitis muscle

The inferior oblique muscle of the head (m. obliquus capitis inferior) runs from the spinous process of C2 to the transverse process of C1.
Rectus posterior minor capitis muscle

The inferior oblique muscle of the head (m. obliquus capitis inferior) runs from the spinous process of C2 to the transverse process of C1.
Obliquus superior capitis muscle

The inferior oblique muscle of the head (m. obliquus capitis inferior) runs from the spinous process of C2 to the transverse process of C1.
Inferior oblique muscle of the head

The inferior oblique muscle of the head (m. obliquus capitis inferior) runs from the spinous process of C2 to the transverse process of C1.
I find it difficult to answer

The inferior oblique muscle of the head (m. obliquus capitis inferior) runs from the spinous process of C2 to the transverse process of C1.

7. Which nerve innervates the inferior oblique muscle of the head, rotating the atlas?

Suboccipital nerve (C1).

The suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of the first cervical nerve) innervates all suboccipital muscles.
Greater occipital nerve (C2).

The suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of the first cervical nerve) innervates all suboccipital muscles.
Lesser occipital nerve

The suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of the first cervical nerve) innervates all suboccipital muscles.
Accessory nerve

The suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of the first cervical nerve) innervates all suboccipital muscles.
I find it difficult to answer

The suboccipital nerve (posterior ramus of the first cervical nerve) innervates all suboccipital muscles.

8. Which ligaments limit excessive rotation in the atlantoaxial joints?

Ligamenta flava.

Alar ligaments (ligg. alaris) are stretched during rotation and limit its range.
Alar ligaments

Alar ligaments (ligg. alaris) are stretched during rotation and limit its range.
Transverse ligament of atlas.

Alar ligaments (ligg. alaris) are stretched during rotation and limit its range.
Anterior longitudinal ligament

Alar ligaments (ligg. alaris) are stretched during rotation and limit its range.
I find it difficult to answer

Alar ligaments (ligg. alaris) are stretched during rotation and limit its range.

9. To which type of joints do the lateral atlantoaxial joints belong?

Cylindrical

The lateral atlantoaxial joints (artt. atlantoaxiales laterales) are flat combined joints.
Condylar

The lateral atlantoaxial joints (artt. atlantoaxiales laterales) are flat combined joints.
Saddle-shaped

The lateral atlantoaxial joints (artt. atlantoaxiales laterales) are flat combined joints.
Plane

The lateral atlantoaxial joints (artt. atlantoaxiales laterales) are flat combined joints.
I find it difficult to answer

The lateral atlantoaxial joints (artt. atlantoaxiales laterales) are flat combined joints.

10. Where does the venous outflow from the atlantoaxial joints area go?

Into the internal jugular vein.

Venous blood drains into the internal and external vertebral venous plexuses (plexus venosi vertebrales).
Into the external jugular vein.

Venous blood drains into the internal and external vertebral venous plexuses (plexus venosi vertebrales).
Into the vertebral venous plexuses.

Venous blood drains into the internal and external vertebral venous plexuses (plexus venosi vertebrales).
Into the facial vein.

Venous blood drains into the internal and external vertebral venous plexuses (plexus venosi vertebrales).
I find it difficult to answer

Venous blood drains into the internal and external vertebral venous plexuses (plexus venosi vertebrales).

11. Which of the listed muscles rotates the head in the opposite direction in the atlantoaxial joint?

Splenius capitis muscle

During unilateral contraction, the sternocleidomastoid muscle turns the face to the opposite side.
Sternocleidomastoid muscle

During unilateral contraction, the sternocleidomastoid muscle turns the face to the opposite side.
Inferior oblique muscle of the head

During unilateral contraction, the sternocleidomastoid muscle turns the face to the opposite side.
Longissimus capitis muscle

During unilateral contraction, the sternocleidomastoid muscle turns the face to the opposite side.
I find it difficult to answer

During unilateral contraction, the sternocleidomastoid muscle turns the face to the opposite side.

12. The innervation of the atlantoaxial joint capsules is provided by branches of:

The second cervical spinal nerve.

Capsules of the joints are innervated by articular branches from the C2 spinal nerve.
Accessory nerve

Capsules of the joints are innervated by articular branches from the C2 spinal nerve.
Trigeminal nerve.

Capsules of the joints are innervated by articular branches from the C2 spinal nerve.
Vagus nerve.

Capsules of the joints are innervated by articular branches from the C2 spinal nerve.
I find it difficult to answer

Capsules of the joints are innervated by articular branches from the C2 spinal nerve.

13. What is the location of the cruciform ligament of the atlas?

In front of the anterior arch of the atlas.

The cruciform ligament is located behind the dens of C2, separating it from the spinal cord.
Behind the odontoid process of the axis.

The cruciform ligament is located behind the dens of C2, separating it from the spinal cord.
Between the transverse processes of C1 and C2.

The cruciform ligament is located behind the dens of C2, separating it from the spinal cord.
On the external surface of the articular capsules.

The cruciform ligament is located behind the dens of C2, separating it from the spinal cord.
I find it difficult to answer

The cruciform ligament is located behind the dens of C2, separating it from the spinal cord.

14. Which ligament connects the apex of the odontoid process of the axis to the anterior circumference of the foramen magnum?

Transverse ligament of atlas.

The ligament of the apex of the odontoid (lig. apicis dentis) runs from the apex of the dens to the anterior margin of the foramen magnum.
Apical ligament of dens = Apical dental ligament

The ligament of the apex of the odontoid (lig. apicis dentis) runs from the apex of the dens to the anterior margin of the foramen magnum.
Tectorial membrane

The ligament of the apex of the odontoid (lig. apicis dentis) runs from the apex of the dens to the anterior margin of the foramen magnum.
Ligamenta flava

The ligament of the apex of the odontoid (lig. apicis dentis) runs from the apex of the dens to the anterior margin of the foramen magnum.
I find it difficult to answer

The ligament of the apex of the odontoid (lig. apicis dentis) runs from the apex of the dens to the anterior margin of the foramen magnum.

15. From where does the rectus capitis posterior major muscle, which extends and rotates the head, originate?

From the posterior tubercle of the atlas.

The rectus capitis posterior major muscle originates from the spinous process of C2 and attaches to the inferior nuchal line.
From the spinous process of the axis.

The rectus capitis posterior major muscle originates from the spinous process of C2 and attaches to the inferior nuchal line.
From the transverse process of the atlas.

The rectus capitis posterior major muscle originates from the spinous process of C2 and attaches to the inferior nuchal line.
From the nuchal line of the occipital bone.

The rectus capitis posterior major muscle originates from the spinous process of C2 and attaches to the inferior nuchal line.
I find it difficult to answer

The rectus capitis posterior major muscle originates from the spinous process of C2 and attaches to the inferior nuchal line.

16. Which artery passes through the foramina of the transverse processes of the atlas and axis, giving branches to the joints?

Occipital artery

The vertebral artery (a. vertebralis) passes through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, including C1 and C2.
Deep cervical artery

The vertebral artery (a. vertebralis) passes through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, including C1 and C2.
Vertebral artery

The vertebral artery (a. vertebralis) passes through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, including C1 and C2.
Ascending cervical artery

The vertebral artery (a. vertebralis) passes through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, including C1 and C2.
I find it difficult to answer

The vertebral artery (a. vertebralis) passes through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, including C1 and C2.

17. In which joint does the rotation (turning left and right) of the first cervical vertebra with the skull occur?

Atlanto-occipital.

The primary movement (rotation) occurs around the vertical axis in the median atlantoaxial joint.
Median atlantoaxial.

The primary movement (rotation) occurs around the vertical axis in the median atlantoaxial joint.
Uncovertebral.

The primary movement (rotation) occurs around the vertical axis in the median atlantoaxial joint.
In the zygapophyseal joints of C3-C4.

The primary movement (rotation) occurs around the vertical axis in the median atlantoaxial joint.
I find it difficult to answer

The primary movement (rotation) occurs around the vertical axis in the median atlantoaxial joint.

18. What forms the articular fossa for the anterior articular surface of the odontoid process of the axis?

Posterior surface of the anterior arch of the atlas.

The posterior surface of the anterior arch of the atlas has a fovea dentis (fovea dentis) for articulation with the dens of C2.
Anterior surface of the posterior arch of the atlas.

The posterior surface of the anterior arch of the atlas has a fovea dentis (fovea dentis) for articulation with the dens of C2.
Internal surface of the lateral masses.

The posterior surface of the anterior arch of the atlas has a fovea dentis (fovea dentis) for articulation with the dens of C2.
Transverse ligament of atlas.

The posterior surface of the anterior arch of the atlas has a fovea dentis (fovea dentis) for articulation with the dens of C2.
I find it difficult to answer

The posterior surface of the anterior arch of the atlas has a fovea dentis (fovea dentis) for articulation with the dens of C2.

19. With which structure does the posterior articular surface of the odontoid process of the axis articulate?

With the anterior arch of the atlas

The posterior articular surface of the dens forms a joint with the transverse ligament of the atlas (part of the cruciform ligament).
With the transverse ligament of the atlas.

The posterior articular surface of the dens forms a joint with the transverse ligament of the atlas (part of the cruciform ligament).
With the occipital bone.

The posterior articular surface of the dens forms a joint with the transverse ligament of the atlas (part of the cruciform ligament).
With the tectorial membrane.

The posterior articular surface of the dens forms a joint with the transverse ligament of the atlas (part of the cruciform ligament).
I find it difficult to answer

The posterior articular surface of the dens forms a joint with the transverse ligament of the atlas (part of the cruciform ligament).

20. Which muscle from the suboccipital group does NOT attach to the axis (C2)?

Rectus posterior major capitis muscle

The rectus capitis posterior minor muscle originates from the posterior tubercle of the atlas (C1), not from C2.
Inferior oblique muscle of the head

The rectus capitis posterior minor muscle originates from the posterior tubercle of the atlas (C1), not from C2.
Rectus posterior minor capitis muscle

The rectus capitis posterior minor muscle originates from the posterior tubercle of the atlas (C1), not from C2.
None of the above (all attach).

The rectus capitis posterior minor muscle originates from the posterior tubercle of the atlas (C1), not from C2.
I find it difficult to answer

The rectus capitis posterior minor muscle originates from the posterior tubercle of the atlas (C1), not from C2.