What does the 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 happens if you break C2?
Common C2 Injury Symptoms Symptoms of a Hangman’s fracture will depend on the severity of the break or crack. In the most severe cases, the victim may suffer complete paralysis of the arms and legs, muscle atrophy, incontinence, the inability to speak, and/or trouble breathing without help.
What movement does C2 allow?
The second vertebra, C2, is called the axis in reference to its purpose — enabling motion. When together, atlas C1 and axis C2 allow for rotation and swiveling of the head since the C1 vertebrae is attached directly into the skull and pivots from its C2 axis.
What features of the C2 vertebrae allows you to turn your head around?
The axis (C2) cervical vertebra is the second vertebra of the spine. It is unique in that it contains the odontoid process — odontoid means “tooth” and that is what this bone looks like — that forms a pivot point on which C1 atlas can rotate.
Why is C2 atypical?
C1 and C2 are considered atypical vertebrae because they have some distinguishing features compared to the rest of the cervical spine. The two vertebrae just below the skull are C1 (the atlas) and C2 (the axis).
How are C1 and C2 different from other cervical vertebrae?
C1 and C2 vertebrae. The C1 vertebra, also called atlas, is shaped like a ring. The C2 vertebra has an upward-facing long bony process called the dens. The dens forms a joint with the C1 vertebra and facilitates its turning motions, thereby allowing the head to turn in different directions.
What is unique about C2 vertebrae?
The axis is the second cervical vertebra, commonly called C2. It is an atypical cervical vertebra with unique features and important relations that make it easily recognisable. Its most prominent feature is the odontoid process (also know as the dens or peg), which is embryologically the body of the atlas (C1) 1,2.
What happens if you have a spinal cord injury at C2?
Common Symptoms and Signs Stemming from C1-C2. Severe cases of spinal cord injury at C2 can be fatal because breathing and other critical body functions may be impaired or stop. 3 Paralysis of the body below the injured region of the spinal cord may also occur in some cases.
What is the C2 spinal vertebra?
As C2 spinal vertebra is the second of the seven cervical vertebrae and follows the C1 vertebra. As the first two segments in the cervical spine, the C1 and C2 vertebrae support the head.
What are the C2-C5 spinal motion segments?
The C2-C5 spinal motion segments comprise three individual segments: C2-C3, C3-C4, and C4-C5. This group of motion segments starts with the C2 vertebra near the top of the cervical spine and ends in the mid-cervical spine at the C5 vertebra.
Are C2 and C5 vertebrae at risk of injury?
Typically, in the C2-C5 motion segments, the C2 and/or C5 vertebrae are at a higher risk of injury and/or disease. 2 Common problems in the C2-C5 motion segments are: Spondylosis. The C2 and C5 vertebrae are commonly affected by spondylosis or degenerative conditions.