Cervical Vertebrae - Physiopedia

Original Editor - Rachael Lowe

Lead Editors - Admin, Kim Jackson, Rachael Lowe, Evan Thomas, WikiSysop, Neil De Bie and Joao Costa  

Contents

• 1 Structure  
• 2 Typical Cervical Vertebra (C3-C7) [2]
  • 2.1 Vertebral Body
  • 2.2 Vertebral Foramen 
  • 2.3 Bony Structures
• 3 Atypical Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C2) 
  • 3.1 C1
  • 3.2 C2
• 4 Function 
• 5 Video
• 6 Pathology
• 7 Assessment
  • 7.1 Physical Examination
  • 7.2 Radiography, X-ray examination
  • 7.3 Magnetic Resonance (MRI)
  • 7.4 Computed Tomography, CT-scan
• 8 Treatment
  • 8.1 Manual Treatment
  • 8.2 Posture Education
  • 8.3 Exercise
  • 8.4 Invasive Treatment
• 9 References

Structure  [edit | edit source]

The cervical spine is made up of two anatomically and functionally different segments.  These two segments work together to produce rotation, lateral flexion, flexion and extension of the head and neck.[1][2]

It is made up of 7 vertebrae. The first 2, C1 and C2, are highly specialized and are given unique names: atlas and axis, respectively. C3-C7 are more classic vertebrae, having a body, pedicles, laminae, spinous processes, and facet joints.

C1 and C2 form a unique set of articulations that provide a great degree of mobility for the skull. C1 serves as a ring or washer that the skull rests upon and articulates in a pivot joint with the dens or odontoid process of C2. Approximately 50% of flexion extension of the neck happens between the occiput and C1; 50% of the rotation of the neck happens between C1 and C2.

The cervical spine is much more mobile than the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spine. Unlike the other parts of the spine, the cervical spine has transverse foramina in each vertebra for the vertebral arteries that supply blood to the brain. 

Typical Cervical Vertebra (C3-C7) [2][edit | edit source]

Vertebral Body[edit | edit source]

• The bodies of these four vertebrae are small, and transverse diameter is greater than anterio-posterior and height dimensions.
• The anterior and posterior surfaces are flattened and of equal depth; the former is placed on a lower level than the latter, and its inferior border is prolonged downward, so as to overlap the upper and forepart of the vertebra below.
• The upper surface is concave transversely, and presents a projecting lip posterolaterally on either side (Uncinate Process).
• The lower surface is concave from front to back, convex from side to side, and presents laterally shallow concavities which receive the corresponding projecting lips of the underlying vertebra.

Vertebral Foramen [edit | edit source]

• Large, triangular in shape.

Bony Structures[edit | edit source]

• The pedicles are short and project posterolaterally. They are attached to the body midway between its upper and lower borders, so that the superior vertebral notch is as deep as the inferior.
• The laminae are long, narrow, and thinner above than below.  They curve posteromedially. 
• The spinous process is short and bifid (to allow ligamentum nuchae to run through). Because the spinous processes are so short, certain superficial muscles (the trapezius and splenius capitis) attach to the nuchal ligament rather than directly to the vertebrae; the nuchal ligament itself attaching to the spinous processes of C2-C7 and to the posterior tubercle of the atlas.
• The superior and inferior articular processes of cervical vertebrae have fused on either or both sides to form articular pillars, columns of bone that project laterally from the junction of the pedicle and lamina.
• The articular facets are flat and of an oval form:
  • the superior face backward, upward, and slightly medially.
  • the inferior face forward, downward, and slightly laterally.
• The transverse processes are short and house the foramen transversarium, which, in the upper six vertebrae, gives passage to the vertebral artery and vein, as well as a plexus of sympathetic nerves. Each process consists of an anterior and a posterior part. These two parts are joined, outside the foramen, by a bar of bone that exhibits a deep sulcus on its upper surface for the passage of the corresponding spinal nerve.
  • The anterior portion is the homologue of the rib in the thoracic region, and is therefore named the costal process or costal element. It arises from the side of the body, is directed laterally in front of the foramen, and ends in a tubercle, the anterior tubercle.
  • The posterior part, the true transverse process, springs from the vertebral arch behind the foramen, and is directed forward and laterally; it ends in a flattened vertical tubercle, the posterior tubercle.

Atypical Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C2) [edit | edit source]

C1[edit | edit source]

The Atlas, C1, is the topmost vertebra, and along with the Axis; forms the joint connecting the skull and spine. Its chief peculiarity is that it has no body, and this is due to the fact that the body of the atlas has fused with that of the Axis. [2]

C2[edit | edit source]

The Axis, C2, forms the pivot upon which the Atlas rotates. The most distinctive characteristic of this bone is the strong odontoid process (dens) that rises perpendicularly from the upper surface of the body. The body is deeper in front than behind, and prolonged downward anteriorly so as to overlap the upper and front part of the third vertebra. [2]

Function [edit | edit source]

The cervical spine functions to provide mobility and stability to the head while connecting it to the relatively immobile thoracic spine.[2]

The movement of nodding the head takes place predominantly through flexion and extension at the joint between the atlas and the occipital bone, the atlanto-occipital joint. However, the cervical spine is comparatively mobile, and some component of this movement is due to flexion and extension of the vertebral column itself.

The movement rotating the head left and right happens almost entirely at the joint between the atlas and the axis, the atlanto-axial joint. A small amount of rotation of the vertebral column itself contributes to the movement.

Video[edit | edit source]

Pathology[edit | edit source]

Vertebral Causes of Spinal Pain:[3]

• Developmental: Scoliosis, Hypermobility, Various uncommon disorders.
• Degenerative: Disc lesions without root compression, Disc lesions with root compression, Disc lessions with compression of spinal cord or cauda equina, Osteoarthrosis of apophyseal joint, Hyperostosis, Instability.
• Trauma: Fracture, Stress fracture, Subluxation, Ligamentous injury.
• Tumour: Secondary carcinoma, Myelomatosis.
• Infection: Staphylococcal, Tuberculous, E.coli, Brucella melitensis.
• Inflammatory arthropathy: Rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter´s disease, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn´s disease, Psoriasis.
• Metabolic: Osteoporosis, Osteomalacia.
• Unknown: Paget´s disease.

Cervical Myelopathy: In the late stages of spinal degeneration, bone spurs from the degenerative process can cause a condition known as spinal stenosis. As the bone spurs form, the size of the spinal canal becomes smaller. The bone spurs begin to press on the spinal cord or the nerve roots. Pressure on the nerves in the spinal cord can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms, hands, and legs. This condition is sometimes called cervical myelopathy. It is from the simpler problem where only one nerve root is being pinched by a herniated disc or a bone spur. Cervical myelopathy can affect both the arms and the legs. [4]

Assessment[edit | edit source]

Physical Examination[edit | edit source]

Sequence proposed by Maitland for the physical examination of the intervertebral segment:[3]    1.Active tests     1.1. Active movements: in standing, except for rotation which is best tested in sitting.     1.2. Auxiliary tests associated with active movements tests.     2.Passive tests     2.1. Movement of the pain-sensitive structures in the vertebral canal and intervertebral foramen.     2.2. Palpation: The positions of the vertebrae should be assessed in relation to adjacent vertebrae. Palpation of the spinous process posteriolly and laterally is usefull both in regard to the position of the vertebra and to the state of the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments. No too much importance should be placed on abnormalities found on this assesment, only relevant if they are verified by radiology.    2.3. Passive range or intervertebral movement.

See the Physiopedia´s page: Cervical examination.

Radiography, X-ray examination[edit | edit source]

Radiography is very suitable for scans of bones. It is more appropiate than MRI when considering surgical planning in all myelopathy patients.[5]

Magnetic Resonance (MRI)[edit | edit source]

A cervical spine MRI scan is used to help diagnose: [6]

• tumors in bones or soft tissues
• bulging discs, or herniated discs
• aneurysms
• other soft tissue disorders, bone abnormalities, or joint disorders 

MRI may under-represent the respective sagittal plane deformity in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy. [5]

A cervical MRI scan can show: [6]

• spinal birth defects or deformities
• an infection in or near the spine
• injury or trauma to the spine
• abnormal curvature of the spine, or scoliosis
• cancer or tumors of the spine

A cervical MRI may also be ordered before or after spinal surgery.

Computed Tomography, CT-scan[edit | edit source]

The most common reason for a spinal CT scan is to check for injuries after an accident. [7]It can be also used for the diagnosis of: 

• herniated discs
• birth defects of the cervical spine  
• tumors that may have started in the spine or somewhere else in the body
• broken bones or areas of potential instability
• infections involving the cervical spine

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Manual Treatment[edit | edit source]

• Traction: Traction therapies have been widely adopted in clinics and rehabilitation centers worldwide.Traction therapy, also known as spinal decompression therapy, refers to any medical procedure that applies force along the inferior-superior axis of the spine to extend the cervical and lumbar spine vertebrae. It seems that a inclined position (flexion) not only creates greater intervertebral separations on the posterior sides, it also provides a more accurate and smoother transition when switching between different traction angles. However, the actual efficacy of traction therapy is often questioned by researchers over the years.[8](LoE4)
• Manipulation: Spinal manipulation or adjustment is a manual treatment where a vertebral joint is passively moved between the normal range of motion and the limits of its normal integrity. It often involves a high velocity thrust, a technique in which the joints are adjusted rapidly.[9](LoE2a)Two reviews published in 2007 and 2017 points out the lack of knowledge about the incidence of adverse effects of spinal manipulation. there is not an overall conclusion about the safety of this treatment.[9] [10](LoE2a;2a)

• Mobilization: Mobilization consists of low-velocity rhythmic movements applied in short or large amplitudes. [11](LoE1b)Cervical mobilization has not the risk of rare but serious adverse events which can occur with manipulation, and it produces similar changes than manipulation (improving pain and function) in adults with acute/subacute/chronic neck pain with or without cervicogenic headache or radicular findings.However, it seems that pain reduction due to joint mobilization is not specific to the vertebral level being mobilized.[11](LoE1b)

Two exempels of cervical mobilization:

 

Posture Education[edit | edit source]

Proper posture reduces the loads placed on the spinal segments at end-ranges and returns the spine to a biomechanically efficient position. Changes in posture can be the cause of neck pain. [12]

Exercise[edit | edit source]

Exercise is indicated to improve the stability of the cervical spine, to prevent osteoporosis, and to improve or maintain the range of joint mobility.Strengthening the stabilizing muscles may enable those muscles to improve the quality and control of movement occurring within the neutral zone.[13]

Invasive Treatment[edit | edit source]

There are several surgical procedures used to treat different pathologies of the cervical spine, as for example, vertebral fracture and cervical spinal stenosis. [4]

References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ Cervical Spine Anatomy. University of Maryland Clinical Center. http://www.umm.edu/programs/spine/health/guides/cervical-spine-anatomy. Accessed 21 april 2017.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Gray H. Gray's Anatomy:The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2005
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 G.D. Maitland. Vertebral Manipulation. Fourth Edition. London-Boston: Butterworths, 1977.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cervical Spinal Stenosis. University of Maryland Medical Center. www.umm.edu/programs/spine/health/guides/cervical-spinal-stenosis (accessed 20 April 2017)
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Weinberg DS, Chugh AJ, Gebhart JJ, Eubanks JD. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Cervical Spine Under-Represents Sagittal Plane Deformity in Degenerative Myelopathy Patients. Int J Spine Surg. 2016; 7:10:32.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 What is a MRI scan?. Health Line. http://www.healthline.com/health/cervical-mri-scan#overview1.Accessed 21 april 2017.
7. ↑ What Is a Cervical Spine CT Scan?. Health Line. http://www.healthline.com/health/cervical-mri-scan#overview1.Accessed 21 april 2017.
8. ↑ Lawrence KF Wong, Zhiwei Luo, Nobuyuki Kurusu, Keiji Fujino. Comparative experiment and dynamic simulation on cervical traction therapy. Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO), 2016 IEEE International Conference on.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ernst E. Adverse effects of spinal manipulation: a systematic review. J R Soc Med. 2007; 100: 330–338.
10. ↑ Mai Nielsen S,Tarp S,Christensen R, Bliddal H,Klokker L, Henriksen M.The risk associated with spinal manipulation: an overview of reviews. Syst Rev. 2017; 6: 64.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Aquino RL, Caires PM, Furtado FC, Loureiro AV, Ferreira PH, Ferreira ML. Applying Joint Mobilization at Different Cervical Vertebral Levels does not Influence Immediate Pain Reduction in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Man Manip Ther. 2009; 17(2): 95–100.
12. ↑ Rehabilitation of Cervical Spine. University of Maryland Clinical Center. http://www.umm.edu/programs/spine/health/guides/rehabilitation-of-cervical-spine. Accessed 21 april 2017.
13. ↑ Macovei, Luana-Andreea, and Elena Rezuş. “CERVICAL SPINE LESIONS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS.” Revista Medico-Chirurgicală̆ a Societă̆ţ̜ii De Medici Ş̧i Naturaliş̧ti Din Iaş̧i 120,2016;1: 70–76.