Craniocervical Anatomy and Clinical Applications

This advanced postgraduate lecture offers an in-depth anatomical tour of the craniocervical junction, specifically designed for chiropractic practitioners. The course aims to provide direct clinical relevance for chiropractic practice by exploring the intricate structures of this vital area.

Participants will delve into vertebral artery anatomy, including embryology, dominance patterns, and various vascular variations such as fenestrations and the suboccipital artery of Salmon. A key focus of the session is to emphasize the critical relationship between vascular and spinal structures.

Attendees will gain a deeper insight into how chiropractic adjustments may influence vascular compliance and blood flow. The single hour of instruction will feature a focused discussion on the anatomy, angiology, and clinical relevance of the craniocervical junction, detailing the vertebral arteries and their important branches, and presenting images from an actual case of vertebral artery dissection.

• -Describe the angiology of the craniocervical junction (CCJ).
• -Describe the blood supply to the suboccipital muscles with emphasis on the suboccipital artery of Salmon.
• -Refined understanding related to vertebral artery dissection.