Trunk (thorax, abdomen, back)
Articular cartilage of cervical vertebrae (C1–C7)
Cartilagines articulares vertebrarum cervicalium
- Origin
- Hyaline cartilage covering superior/inferior articular facets and dens of C1–C7
- Insertion
- Atlanto-occipital, atlanto-axial, and subaxial cervical facet surfaces
- Function
- Facilitates low-friction gliding for head and neck rotation, flexion, and lateral bending
- Innervation
- Aneural and avascular; synovial diffusion
- Movement & chain
- Provides smooth gliding for 50% of total head rotation (C1-C2)
- Palpation
- Not palpated directly
- Clinical
- Cervical spondylosis / facet osteoarthritis; atlantoaxial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Segmental innervation
- C1–C8
- In clinical practice
- Cervical mobilization, isometric stabilization, and ergonomic neck support
- Region in the model
- Trunk (thorax, abdomen, back)