KINESIOL 2E03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Foramen Magnum, Alar Ligament, Occipital Condyle

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Kinesiology
• Course: KINESIOL 2E03
• Professor: Krista Madsen

Document Summary

Lumbar spine designed for stability to support the large mass of the body; limited mobility. Cervical spine: a lot of mobility and movement, lower level of stability: only supports the mass of the head smaller vertebrae, mobility is important b/c it supports and moves head. Head contains sensory organs for eyes, ears, vestibular apparatuses critical for orienting ourselves in space. Head needs large ranges of motion and speed makes mobility important. Upper cervical spine: joints between head and atlas (c1), joints btwn atlas and axis (c1-c2: very diff from rest of vertebral column. Lower cervical spine: c3-c7, many similarities to lumbar spine. Two lateral masses (indicated by blue arrows), no true vertebral body. Large spinal canal important b/c at this level, the spinal cord has its largest cross-sectional area, needs the most space to travel through. 1: posterior tubercle projecting from the posterior arch.