cervical spine
Upper backbone section
The cervical spine is the uppermost section of the spinal column, comprising the seven vertebrae of the neck.
It supports the head, allows rotational movement, and protects the spinal cord as it exits the skull.
Injuries to the cervical spine can cause paralysis, which is why accident victims are immobilized before transport: The EMTs stabilized his cervical spine before moving him.
Interlocking bones of spine
- atlasBound collection of charts
- axisRotation reference line
- spinal cordBrain's extension through vertebrae
- foramenAnatomical bone opening
lamina · facet joint · spinal canal · lordosis · spinal nerves · transverse process · dens · nerve root
Neck injury from jerking
- herniationOrgan protruding abnormally
- stenosisAbnormal bodily narrowing
- radiculopathyCompressed spinal nerve condition
- myelopathySpinal cord pathology
degenerative disc · bulging disc · pinched nerve · torticollis · fracture · sprain · strain · arthritis
Device providing structural stability
- collarNeck encirclement
- tractionAdhesive friction enabling movement
- discectomyExcision of spinal cushion
- laminectomyRemoving vertebral arch surgically
physiotherapy · chiropractic · manipulation · injection · decompression · rehabilitation · immobilization · orthosis
Correct relative positioning
- ergonomicsStudy of work efficiency
- tech neckStrain from looking down at screens
- text neckPain from looking down
- slouchingPoor postural alignment
workstation · desk setup · chin tuck · sitting posture · standing posture · head position
Joint's movement capacity
- flexionDecreasing a joint angle
- extensionAdded part or duration
- rotationTurning on an axis
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
neck exercises · stiffness · flexibility · movement · turning · tilting · nodding
vertebrae
Interlocking bones of spine
- atlasBound collection of charts
- axisRotation reference line
- spinal cordBrain's extension through vertebrae
foramen · lamina · facet joint · spinal canal · lordosis · spinal nerves · transverse process · dens · nerve root · dura mater
whiplash
Neck injury from jerking
- herniationOrgan protruding abnormally
- stenosisAbnormal bodily narrowing
- radiculopathyCompressed spinal nerve condition
myelopathy · degenerative disc · bulging disc · pinched nerve · torticollis · fracture · sprain · strain · arthritis · bone spurs
brace
Device providing structural stability
- collarNeck encirclement
- tractionAdhesive friction enabling movement
- discectomyExcision of spinal cushion
laminectomy · physiotherapy · chiropractic · manipulation · injection · decompression · rehabilitation · immobilization · orthosis · mobilization
alignment
Correct relative positioning
- ergonomicsStudy of work efficiency
- tech neckStrain from looking down at screens
- text neckPain from looking down
slouching · workstation · desk setup · chin tuck · sitting posture · standing posture · head position
range of motion
Joint's movement capacity
stretching · neck exercises · stiffness · flexibility · movement · turning · tilting · nodding
- vertebral anatomytransverse process, lamina, pedicle, facet joint
- Neckneck, throat, Adam's apple, larynx, trachea
- back anatomybackbone, back, spinal column, vertebral column, spinal cord
- spinevertebra, spinal cord, spinal column, backbone, vertebral body
- spine regionsthoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal, sacrum
- bonesskull, femur, tibia, skulls, humerus
cervical spinelumbar spine
Vertebral column's bottom segment
sacrum · lower back · lumbar vertebrae · low back · coccyx
cervical spinebase of spine