The physiological curvature of the cervical spine exists

Generally speaking, the normal cervical spine has a physiological curvature. The human cervical spine has a curvature. "The existence of physiological curvature" also means that it is normal. The spine of the human body is not straight, but has a certain physiological curvature. Under normal circumstances, the human cervical spine presents a certain curvature, which is specifically manifested as a C-shaped bend forward. In medicine, this forward arc bulge is called the physiological curvature of the cervical spine. It is abnormal for the physiological curve of the cervical spine to become straight or disappear. This is mostly due to long-term incorrect sitting posture, long-term fatigue, lack of cervical spine activity, spinal injury, spinal calcification, etc., which will lead to the physiological curve of the cervical spine. It means that when the human body is sitting or standing, the neck seems to be straight when viewed from the side, but the cervical spine wrapped inside is not straight, but has a forward convex arc in the middle section. Along this arc, a continuous and smooth arc curve is formed at the rear edge of each cervical vertebra. The normal value is 12±5mm.

Chinese name

Physiological curve of cervical spine

Normal value

12±5mm

Buckling

35°～45°

stretch

35°～45°

Introduction

The normal range of motion of the neck is as follows: flexion 35°~45°, extension 35°~45°, left and right lateral flexion 45°, left and right rotation 60°~80°.

When the human body is sitting or standing, the neck appears to be straight when viewed from the side, but the cervical vertebrae wrapped inside are not straight, but have an arc that bulges forward in the middle. This forward arc-shaped protrusion is medically called the physiological curvature of the cervical spine. On the X-ray film, the continuous, smooth arc curve formed along this curvature at the posterior edge of each cervical vertebra is called the cervical physiological curve.

Cervical vertebra model

The normal value of the physiological curve of the cervical spine is 12±5mm. The measurement method is to start from the posterior superior edge of the odontoid process and connect the posterior edges of each vertebra to form an arc. Then draw a straight line from the posterior superior edge of the odontoid process to the posterior inferior edge of the 7th cervical vertebra. The maximum distance from the highest point of the above arc to this straight line is the value reflecting the size of the cervical curve.

Cervical curvature

The formation of cervical curvature is caused by the fact that the cervical 4-5 intervertebral disc is thick in front and thin in the back, which is a physiological need of the human body. It can enhance the elasticity of the cervical spine, play a certain role in buffering vibrations, and prevent brain damage. At the same time, it is also the normal anatomical and physiological requirement of important tissues such as the cervical spinal cord, nerves, and blood vessels. Whenever there is trauma, degeneration or poor posture, it can not only cause changes in the physiological curvature of the cervical spine, but also cause corresponding pathological changes, resulting in clinical symptoms and X-ray changes.

Unstable physiological curve

The physiological curve of unstable cervical motion threshold: "The "break" of the cervical physiological curve is the result of degeneration. It reflects the excessive flexion or extension of the intervertebral space, which exceeds the inherent range of motion. It is a more common imaging sign of instability. This article clarifies the pathological significance of instability represented by the break of the cervical curve through the measurement and clinical observation of the intervertebral motion of the cervical spine.