Cervical Spine Goniometry

Question 1

CERVICAL FLEXION

Answer 1

CERVICAL FLEXION

Question 2

What is the testing position for cervical flexion?

Answer 2

• Seated
• Upright posture
• Neutral rotation and lateral flexion of the spine
• Ask the patient to tuck the chin until resistance is felt

Question 3

What is the mean ROM for cervical flexion?

Answer 3

45°

Question 4

When testing cervical flexion, where do we stabilize and why?

Answer 4

Stabilize at shoulder girdle with patients hands placed on knees

Question 5

What is the end feel for cervical flexion?

Answer 5

Firm

Question 6

Alignment (cervical flexion):

• What is the stationary arm?
• What is the moving arm?
• What is the fulcrum?

Answer 6

• perpendicular or parallel to the ground
• base of the nares
• external auditory meatus

Question 7

CERVICAL EXTENSION

Answer 7

CERVICAL EXTENSION

Question 8

What is the testing position for cervical extension?

Answer 8

• Seated
• Upright posture
• Neutral rotation and lateral flexion of the spine
• Ask the patient to bend the head back and look up

Question 9

What is the mean ROM for cervical extension?

Answer 9

45° (up to 70° in some sources)

Question 10

When testing cervical extension, where do we stabilize and why?

Answer 10

Stabilize at the shoulder girdle with the patients hands places on knees

Question 11

What is the end feel of cervical extension?

Answer 11

Firm

Question 12

Alignment (cervical extension):

• What is the stationary arm?
• What is the moving arm?
• What is the fulcrum?

Answer 12

• perpendicular to ground
• base of the nares
• external auditory meatus

Question 13

What is another way to measure cervical flexion and extension?

Answer 13

Tape measure

Question 14

CERVICAL LATERAL FLEXION

Answer 14

CERVICAL LATERAL FLEXION

Question 15

What is the testing position for cervical lateral flexion?

Answer 15

• Sitting
• Upright posture
• Neutral flexion/extension
• Neutral rotation

Question 16

What is the mean ROM for cervical lateral flexion?

Answer 16

45°

Question 17

When testing for cervical lateral flexion, where do we stabilize and why?

Answer 17

Stabilize at the shoulder girdle to prevent lateral flexion of thoracic and lumbar spine.

Question 18

What is the end feel for cervical lateral flexion?

Answer 18

Firm

Question 19

Alignment (cervical lateral flexion):

• What is the stationary arm?
• What is the moving arm?
• What is the fulcrum?

Answer 19

• spinous processes of thoracic spine
• dorsal midline of head, occipital protuberance
• spinous process of C7

Question 20

CERVICAL ROTATION

Answer 20

CERVICAL ROTATION

Question 21

What is the testing position for cervical rotation?

Answer 21

• Seated
• Upright posture
• Neutral flexion/extension, lateral flexion

Question 22

What is the mean ROM for cervical rotation?

Answer 22

60°

Question 23

When testing for cervical rotation, where should we stabilize and why?

Answer 23

Stabilize at the shoulder girdle to prevent thoracic and lumbar rotation.

Question 24

What is the end feel for cervical rotation?

Answer 24

Firm

Question 25

Alignment (cervical rotation):

• What is the stationary arm?
• What is the moving arm?
• What is the fulcrum?

Answer 25

• parallel to imaginary line between acromion processes
• tip of the nose
• center of cranial aspect of the head

Question 26

What is another way to measure cervical lateral flexion and rotation?

Answer 26

Tape measure