Normal spinal curve

The spine is the key skeleton that supports our body to stand. It is the bone that supports our waist. It is upright under normal circumstances. The symptom of hunchback is caused by improper sitting and sleeping posture. We can also observe the condition of the spine through X-rays. When the human body is in a state of balance, the spine and neck are connected to each other, and the curve of the spine is a smooth arc.

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, along this curvature, at each cervical vertebra

The continuous and smooth arc curve formed by the posterior edge is called the physiological curve of the cervical spine.

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 physiological curve of the cervical spine 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 cervical spine through the measurement and clinical observation of the range of motion of each intervertebral space.