by Denise Müller, Grad. Sports Scientist
The cervical spine (CS) in humans and other vertebrates denotes the uppermost section of the spinal column between the head and the thoracic spine. The section generally encompasses seven neck vertebrae and is the most flexible part of the spine.
In humans, the first spinal vertebra, also known as “atlas” – is located directly beneath the occipital foramen (foramen magnum) of the skull. It carries the skull and encloses the tooth-like protrusion on the second cervical vertebra – the “axis”.
Due to their special position and extreme stress, both atlas and axis have a very specialised shape. They form a functional unit and are therefore notably different from any of the other vertebrae.
The joints between the base of the skull and the axis form the head joint.
There are five more cervical vertebrae below these two. They have the normal shape of a vertebra with a vertebral body, the neural arch encompassing the spinal cord, and the vertebral joint.
The seventh and last of the cervical vertebrae once again presents differently than the others. Its spinous process extends backwards slightly more than that of the other cervical vertebrae. It is therefore easily palpable, and serves as an anatomical orientation point.
Between these vertebrae – just like in the rest of the spinal column – there are intervertebral discs, aka spinal discs, which form a flexible and fibro-cartilagenous connection between two vertebrae. The cervical spine is furthermore supported by various neck and back muscles, as well as several ligaments.
In a healthy human, the cervical spine presents as a forward arc, which is also known as physiological lordosis.
