Anatomy atlas of labeled cross-section views of the canine cervical spine on MRI

Anatomy atlas of labeled cross-section views of the canine cervical spine on MRI

Anatomy atlas of labeled cross-section views of the canine cervical spine on MRI


Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine is an exam that is justified in many clinical situations: neck pain, disc extrusions, atlantoaxial instability, acute or chronic myelopathy, etc. 

The anatomy of the neck is complex as this region concentrates a large number of bony, muscular, articular, splanchnic, vascular and nervous structures. Furthermore, the images obtained in the different weighting schemes (T2 TSE, T1 TSE, T2 STIR, etc.) have very different characteristics, which can be an additional difficulty for a student or a resident in radiology. 

The objective of this module is to detail the cross-sectional anatomy of the canine cervical spine, based on an MRI examination. 

Anatomy atlas of the canine cervical spine
Transverse cross section of a dog's neck on MRI (T2 TSE-weighted image), at the level of the C2, showing spinal nerve C3, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid

Materials and methods

This MRI examination extends from the occipital region to the scapular region of a healthy dog. It was performed by Dr. Susanne AEB Boroffka, dipl. ECVDI, PhD (Utrecht, Netherlands).

T2 TSE-, and T1 TSE-weighted images were obtained in transverse and sagittal planes. T2 STIR-weighted images were obtained in the dorsal plane. 
The transverse images focus on the atlanto-occipital and C2-C3 joints. The sagittal and dorsal images concern the entire cervical spine.

The anatomical structures have been labeled by Stephan Mahler, DVM, MSc, PhD (Veterinary Anatomist - IMAIOS), according to the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV). 

They have been grouped into different themes:

  • Body parts
  • Body regions
  • Bones
    • Bones of the cranium
    • Vertebrae
    • Numbering - vertebrae
    • Numbering - Ribs
    • Scapula
  • Joints
  • Ligaments
  • Muscles
    • Cutaneous muscles
    • Muscles of the head
    • Laryngeal muscles
    • Muscles of the neck
    • Muscles of the back
    • Muscles of the thoracic limb
    • Fascias
  • Larynx
  • Trachea
  • Thyroid gland
  • Pharynx
  • Major salivary glands
  • Oesophagus
  • Arteries
  • Veins
  • Lymph nodes
  • Spinal cord
  • Nerves

Key images

Labelled MRI of a dog's cervical spine
Midsagittal view of a dog's cervical spine on MRI (T1 TSE-weighted image) showing spinal cord, intervertebral discs, foramen magnum, muscles of the neck and back
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a canine cervical spine
Dorsal view of a dog's cervical spine on MRI (T2 STIR-weighted image) showing cervical part of the spinal cord, spinal nerve C3, vertebral arteries, subarachnoideal cavity
Anatomy atlas of the canine cervical spine
Transverse cross section of a dog's neck on MRI (T2 TSE
Labelled MRI of a dog's cervical spine
Midsagittal view of a dog's cervical spine on MRI (T1 TSE
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a canine cervical spine
Dorsal view of a dog's cervical spine on MRI (T2 STIR
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