movements of the cervical spine

Question 1

What movements occur in the cervical spine?

Answer 1

flexion, extension, rotation & lateral flexion

Question 2

degrees of flexion in the cervical spine

Answer 2

25

Question 3

how does flexion occur in the cervical spine

Answer 3

the upper vertebral body tilts and slides on the lower vertebral body + compression of the disc, anteriorly

Question 4

what limits flexion in the cervical spine?

Answer 4

Flexion is limited by tension in the posterior longitudinal ligament, facet joint capsule, ligamenta flava, ligamenta nuchae, posterior vertebral muscles and also the chin hitting the chest.

Question 5

degrees of extension in the cervical spine

Answer 5

85

Question 6

how does extension occur in the cervical spine?

Answer 6

the upper vertebra tilts and slides posteriorly on the lower vertebral body + compression of the disc, posteriorly.

Question 7

what limits extension in the cervical spine?

Answer 7

Extension is limited by tension in the anterior longitudinal ligament, and by impact of the superior articular processes of the lower vertebra on the transverse process of the upper vertebra and by the impact of the posterior arches, through the ligaments.

Question 8

degrees of rotation in the cervical spine

Answer 8

50° + 15°at C1/C2

Question 9

how does rotation occur in the cervical spine?

Answer 9

inferior facets on the opposite side of the vertebra above move against the superior facets of the lower vertebra, producing a kind of camber effect

Question 10

what limits rotation in the cervical spine?

Answer 10

Rotation is limited by a grinding contact of the opposite side facets, tension of the joint capsule and torsion of the intervertebral disc.

Question 11

degrees of lateral flexion in the cervical spine

Answer 11

40

Question 12

how does lateral flexion occur in the cervical spine?

Answer 12

the lower articular facet on the laterally flexed side glides downwards and backwards on the superior process of the vertebra below + compression of the disc to the opposite side
on the other side, each articular process moves forwards and upwards over the process of the vertebra below (lateral flexion is always accompanied by slight rotation to the same side)

Question 13

what limits lateral rotation in the cervical spine?

Answer 13

Rotation is limited by contact of the opposite side facets, tension in the joint capsules and tension in the intervertebral disc