The cervical curve in the neck is supposed to be a “C” shape. There are 7 vertebrae or bones in the neck spine: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7. The first vertebrae, or C1 is also know as the atlas, and C2 is known as the axis.
If I look at a “lateral” cervical spine (meaning from the side) x-ray- the spine should be in the shape of a “C”.
If I look at a “AP” cervical spine (meaning from the front) x-ray- the spine should be straight up and down, with no curves.
In between each of the bones, are the cervical spinal nerves, labels as in the diagram below as C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, and C8.
The cervical spine is very important because it encompasses and protects the spinal cord, holds up the head and skull and also allows us to move our head: forward (flexion), look back (extension), bend from side to side (lateral flexion) and turn our head from side to side (rotation).
Protection of the spinal cord is extremely important: messages from the brain travel through the spinal cord, out via nerves- innervating muscles, organs, blood vessels- this system controls how we walk, talk and basically do all of daily functions.
What do these cervical nerves control? They control certain areas of the head, neck and upper back, including the arms and hands. More specifically:
- C1: Head and neck
- C2: Head and neck
- C3: Diaphragm
- C4: Upper body muscles (e.g. Deltoids, Biceps)
- C5: Wrist extensors
- C6: Wrist extensors
- C7: Triceps Muscle
- C8: Hands
Often times we see a loss of the cervical curve, also known as a “loss of cervical lordosis” or “military” neck.
Doctors often prescribe cervical traction to help get the curve back into the spine. This involves home traction and also using pillows that will provide gentle traction while sleeping.
Also surrrounding the cervical spine are tendons, ligaments and muscles- they allow for movement and prevent us from doing certain motions to prevent injury and pain.
So there you have it- hopefully you understand the significance of the cervical spine- and why it is so important. The cervical spine is composed of bones c1-c7, nerves c1-c8, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Wrapping your head around all the complexities and functions of the cervical spine- can be a daunting task.
Additional Resources:
- Neck Pain resulting from a C5, C6, C7, or C8 Radiculopathy– Understanding the symptoms of a radiculopathy, causes and treatment
- How to End Neck Pain by Doing a Cervical Traction Protocol at home
- Neck Posture: Optimal Posture for the C-Spine
- Improve your posture and Sleep Better with the Right Neck Pillow
- Loss of cervical curvature- “military neck”
- Why Posture Is the Window to Your Health
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Great description of the neck anatomy. I like the fact you put up different ways of viewing the neck.
I don’t have a curve either but something stranger. Have you ever heard of-straight spine then protrudes to the front? my spine goes the wrong way.
The cervical curve is so important! I hope everyone knows how important chiropractic is in maintaining it! Great blog oveerall, but you might want to include the autonomic innervations as well when you list them out so people really get the point that everything in their entire body is controlled by the nervous system!
This is a very good explaination. There is a lot of discussion as to the significance of a loss of cervical lordosis, after all, not all people who have diminished lordosis experience neck symptoms or headache.
Notwithstanding this debate, over 75% of my patients whose headaches or migraine swap sides either between attacks or within the same attack have a decreased lordosis.
I have no curve in my cervical spine, several car accidents have left me with neck and back pain. When I turn my head I hear a scraping noise, like two pieces of ceramic being rubbed together. Is it possible the back of my scull is scraping my spine?
Mia, the best thing is to have a cervical x-ray taken to see what is happening in the cervical neck spine.
hello mam satshriakal g.my name is Harpreet chahal.i am from punjab. i have read ur blog.i have a problem which i want to share with u.my age is 26.three years ago i was in hostel.i suffered from neck pain which was occurred due to bad lying posture.i felt pain when i turned my neck to left side only otherwise there was no pain.i went to many doctors for its treatment.i took so many medicines, neck coller,massage but no improvement.then i went for the MRI.after that i went to a hospital ,after 1 month’s medicine i was refered to physiotherapy department.they treated me with exercises,traction,heat,hot pack and ultrasound.but just temporary relief.after that i was at home i started exercises and hot pack.i also tried accupressure and homeopathy medicine but mam i am still suffering i am so much frustrated with it.mam i am sending u my MRI report in hope that u will guide me.i am feeling pain only when i turn the neck to left side.plz mam must reply GOD will bless u plz tell me the solution of my neck pain.i am in very much deperesssion bcoz of it.plzzzzzzzzz
this is my mri report mam and plz also tell me can i go to gym or not? it will affect my neck pain or not ?will it make it worst or better or no effect?
On sagittal images normal curvature of spine is slightly reversed.vertebral alignment is maintained there is no evidence of any vertebral compression.the vertebral bodies display normal signal on all sequences. C3-4: Posterior left paracentral herniation is extending into the anterior epidural space and compromising the ventral sac.left exiting nerve roots are mildly impinged. C4-5,C5-6: Posterocentral herniations of the disc are compromising the ventral sac. Lateral nerve roots are defined. No ligamentum flavum hypertrophy or facet joint arthropathy visualized.the cervical cord displays normal signal intensity on all sequences.pre and para-spinal spaces are normal. Cranio-vertebral junction is normal.no evidence of atlanto-axial dislocation.cervico-medullary junction is of normal contour and signal intentsity.
PLZ must reply..
Help Please
I got in a accident
anything about how to use it to repair nerves. or get transplanted nervers to working.
please find someone who can help me
My R arm 70% feeling no motion hand only small finger feeling and no motion.shoulder works. had neck surger they replaced disk in between 5 and 6 and braced them together. Dr Lei at Baptist Hospital transplanted around bad nerves though 5.
Why I cannot move arm at all if all nervers good.
Help PLZ
Hi, I have a loss of curve in my neck, range of motion is only 9 degrees instead of 43. Please Can anyone tell me if this condition has a name & what a future outcome will be for me with this loss of curve?
I have a herniated C5/6 disc, radiculopathy – c6 root compression, osteoarthritis cervical & lumbar, cervical spondylitis.
Would appreciate any help 🙂
Thank you for explaining my diagnosis, c4 c5 c6 impinging on my nerve roots. I have had some discomfort for years, and been very concerned as I had Breast Cancer in 2008 , grade 3/4 and starting to grow in to the chest cavity. I did all the usual treatment after a mastectomy, but have been told for years that my pain in my chest, neck, throat and up into my ear was “just arthritis, get on with your life and stop worrying”! Well I did worry, had every scan known to medical science, apart from pregnancy and at 75 that wasn’t needed! Eventually a new g p decided, after heart stress tests etc, to send me for a radiculopathy scan, with the results above. Just knowing has helped, and the physio is working. Why won’t specialists listen ?! I was starting to believe them , thinking I was neurotic! Great explanation.