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Cervical Spine - Normal |
The cranium and cervical spine produce an elegant pattern of motion capability that allows humans to have the ability to view the world from a vast array of angles. The downside of this capacity is that a rather large structure, the head, is paced upon a rather small structure, the cervical spine and its musculature, and is required to move through space at odd, non-physiologic angles and positions. Sometimes the head is required to stop abruptly and violently in car accidents and other collisions.
The general anatomy of the cervical spine is similar to other areas of the body in that there are vertebral bodies cushioned with cervical disc that allow motion and stability of the neck. There are posterior facet joints which are different from other areas in that they allow more rotational freedom than the thoracic or lumbar spine.
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Cervical Spine Spondylosis (Arthritis) with Osteophytes |
Normal aging produces degeneration of the cervical discs in that there is a normal loss of height and water volume. As the integrity of the cervical disc becomes less supportive the spine may become looser and the body may try to correct this with osteophytes or bone spurs adjacent to the disc which help in stabilizing the spine. These osteophytes are easily seen in the front of the spine on lateral X-ray but this is often not problematic. Posterior osteophytes which press back into the cervical spinal canal may impinge on the cord itself or nerve roots. This may present as some neck or arm pain or no symptoms at all.
As the canal is further narrowed, the spinal cord may become severely compressed and a cervical myelopathy may occur. With this, the individual may lose upper and lower extremity motor function, become extremely weak, lose the ability to perform fine motor tasks, like writing and dressing, and have difficulty walking without stumbling. This can progress to loss of bowel and bladder continence as well.
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