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How many stacked bones are in a cervical spine?
How many vertebrae are in a cervical spine?
How many bones are in a neck?
What is a unique feature of the cervical vertebrae?
Where is the cervical spine located?
What happens if the cervical vertebrae are stacked?
The cervical spine has 7 stacked bones called vertebrae, labeled C1 through C7. The top of the cervical spine connects to the skull, and the bottom connects to the upper back at about shoulder level. As viewed from the side, the cervical spine forms a lordotic curve by gently curving toward the front of the body and then back.
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- Cervical Vertebrae
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- Additional Common Questions
Your cervical spine consists of the first seven vertebrae in your spine. It provides support for the weight of your head, surrounds and protects your spinal cord, and allows for a wide range of head motions. Many conditions affect this area of your spine, including neck pain, arthritis, degenerative bone and disk disease, and stenosis. Many treatment options are available.
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What diseases and disorders affect your cervical spine?
Many diseases and conditions result from problems in the cervical spine and the surrounding soft tissues and nerves. These include: Cervical radiculopathy. This condition arises when a cervical nerve is pinched by cervical vertebrae. You may experience tingling, numbness, weakness and pain. Symptoms may remain local or can spread to your entire arm, hand and fingers. Cervical radiculopathy is also called a pinched nerve or cervical nerve compression. Neck pain. Neck pain is a common symptom of many different injuries and medical conditions. Common causes include degenerative conditions (osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated disk, pinched nerve), whiplash, mental stress, physical strain, poor posture, growths (tumors, cysts, bone spurs), meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Cervical degenerative disk disease. Cervical degenerative disk disease occurs when the disks in your cervical spine wear down. Herniated disk. This condition is a tear or leak to the disks that provide a cushion between vertebrae. Intervertebral disks allow you to bend and move with ease. Bone spurs in your cervical spine (cervical osteophytes). Bone spurs are growths that occur on any of the seven vertebrae in your cervical spine. Cervical spondylosis. Cervical spondylosis, also called arthritis of the neck, is the age-related slow degeneration of your disks and joints in your cervical spine Cervical spinal cord injury. A cervical spinal cord injury is an injury to your cervical vertebrae. Most spinal cord injuries are the result of a sudden, traumatic blow to the vertebrae. Cervical spinal fracture. A fracture to the bones of your spine can result from compression (often from minor trauma in a person with osteoporosis) or be a burst fracture (vertebra that’s crushed in all directions) or a fracture-dislocation (mostly from vehicle accidents or falls from heights). Cervical spinal cord compression (cervical spondylotic myelopathy). This is a condition in which there’s pressure on your spinal cord in the cervical area of your spine. One of the most common causes is wear and tear on the bones of your spine, a condition called osteoarthritis. Cervical stenosis. This condition occurs when your spinal canal in the cervical spine area narrows. Less space within your cervical spine reduces the amount of space available for your spinal cord and nerves that branch off the spinal cord. A tightened space can cause your spinal cord or nerves to become irritated, compressed or pinched. Cervical spinal tumor and cancer. Tumors are abnormal growths of tissue inside your spinal column. They can either be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges. The meninges are a protective lining around your brain and spinal cord. Osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is a bacterial or fungal infection of the bone, in this case, the vertebrae of your spine. If left untreated, it can lead to the death of vertebrae.
How are diseases and conditions of the cervical spine diagnosed?
First, your healthcare provider will gather your medical and medication history, ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical exam and order tests and imaging studies. Tests and imaging may include: Computed tomography (CT) scan. This scan uses X-rays and computers to produce images that are very thin “slices” of the area under examination. A CT scan can show the shape and size of your spinal canal, its contents and the bone around it. It helps diagnose bone spurs, osteophytes, bone fusion and bone destruction from infection or tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed images. This scan can reveal problems with your spinal cord and nerves exiting the spinal column, spinal degeneration, disk herniation, infections and tumors. X-rays. X-rays create pictures of your bones and soft tissues, using a small amount of radiation. X-rays can show fractures, disk problems, spinal alignment problems and the presence of arthritis. Electromyogram (EMG) and nerve conduction studies. An EMG helps evaluate the health and function of nerves and muscles. A nerve conduction study measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through your nerve. These tests help determine ongoing nerve damage and the site of nerve compression. Myelogram. This imaging test examines the relationship between your vertebrae and disks, outlines the spinal cord and nerves exiting your spinal column. It shows if such possible things as a tumor, bone spurs or herniated disk are pressing against your spinal cord, nerves or nerve roots and causing pain, numbness or weakness. X-rays. X-rays create pictures of your bones and soft tissues, using a small amount of radiation. X-rays can show fractures, disk problems, spinal alignment problems and the presence of arthritis. Advertisement
How are cervical spine health issues treated?
Both nonsurgical treatment options and surgery are available to treat many of the conditions that affect the cervical spine. The choice depends on the cause of the cervical spine issue and its severity.
Sep 5, 2024 · The cervical vertebrae have three main features which distinguish them from other vertebrae: Triangular vertebral foramen. Bifid spinous process – this is where the spinous process splits into two distally.
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Nov 14, 2023 · When the vertebrae are stacked one on top of the other, the vertebral arch, articular processes, and zygapophyseal joints of adjacent vertebrae create a passageway for spinal nerves known as the intervertebral foramen.
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Aug 14, 2023 · There are seven bones, each called a cervical vertebra, that are stacked upon one another. These cervical vertebrae are specially shaped and configured to allow for maximum motion while supporting your skull and protecting your spinal cord, neighboring blood vessels, and nerves.
May 24, 2022 · The cervical spine is the first part of the spinal column, consisting of 7 cervical vertebrae, C1-C7. These vertebrae are ring-like bony structures supporting the weight of the head. The first two bones, C1 and C2, are highly specialized, known as the atlas and axis.
May 11, 2019 · The collection of bones stacked vertically upon one another to form the spine is what we know as the vertebral column. Each of these bones is called a vertebra (plural: vertebrae). The vertebral column comprises 33 vertebrae, each separated by fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs.
