What is the medical term for cervical spine?

What is the medical term for cervical spine?

The cervical spine, also known as the neck, is comprised of seven vertebral bodies (C1-C7) that make up the upper most part of the spine. These vertebrae connect the spine to the skull.

Why is it called cervical spine?

The word cervix is derived from the Latin root word “cervix” which means “neck.” For this reason, the word cervical pertains to many areas where tissues narrow to a neck-like passage, and not only in your neck.

What is the medical term for neck pain?

Cervicalgia (sur-vih-KAL-gee-uh) is neck pain that doesn’t radiate outward to the shoulders or upper extremities.

What are cervical spine issues?

Cervical spine disorders involve the neck bones (vertebrae), and spongy discs between the vertebrae, joints, muscles, and ligaments. They’re caused by injury or degeneration (break down) of the structures in the spine from normal “wear and tear,” stress, smoking, or aging.

What is cervical problem?

Overview. Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs). Cervical spondylosis is very common and worsens with age.

What is cervical spine injury?

Cervical spine injuries are the result of deformation to the cervical spinal column that can cause damage to the spinal cord. Injury to the C5 vertebrae and higher can be fatal because it may inhibit ventilation controlled by the central nervous system.

Where is the cervical spine?

neck
Your cervical spine is the neck region of your spinal column or backbone. It consists of your first seven bones (C1-C7). Other structures in or around your cervical spine are your intervertebral disks, spinal cord and nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

What are the types of cervical pain?

The Seven Types of Neck Pain

  1. Muscle Pain. Muscle strains, sprains, and tears are one of the most common catalysts of neck pain.
  2. Muscle Spasm. A muscle spasm is the sudden, spontaneous, and painful contraction of a muscle.
  3. Headache.
  4. Facet Joint Pain.
  5. Nerve Pain.
  6. Referred Pain.
  7. Bone Pain.

What is the best treatment for cervical spine?

Treatment

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), are commonly available without a prescription.
  • Corticosteroids. A short course of oral prednisone might help ease pain.
  • Muscle relaxants.
  • Anti-seizure medications.
  • Antidepressants.

What parts of the body does the cervical spine control?

C1, C2, and C3 (the first three cervical nerves) help control the head and neck, including movements forward, backward, and to the sides. The C2 dermatome handles sensation for the upper part of the head, and the C3 dermatome covers the side of the face and back of the head. (C1 does not have a dermatome.)

What are the symptoms of cervical spine problems?

One of the main symptoms of a cervical spine disorder is neck pain. You may also have pain in the head, jaw, shoulders, arms, or legs, as well as numbness and weakness. Other problems include impaired coordination or balance, difficulty breathing, or loss of bowel and bladder control.

What are the symptoms of cervical problems?

Symptoms

  • Pain in the neck that may travel to your arms or shoulders.
  • Headaches.
  • A grinding feeling when you move your neck.
  • Weakness in your arms and legs.
  • Numbness in your shoulders, arms, or hands.
  • Stiffness in the neck.
  • Trouble keeping your balance.
  • Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels.

What causes cervical damage?

Trauma is the most common cause of cervical injury, and this can include motor vehicle accidents, falls, penetrating or blunt trauma, sports-related or diving injuries. [4][5] Nontraumatic causes can include compression fractures from osteoporosis, arthritis, or cancer and inflammation of the spinal cord.

What are the symptoms of cervical pain?

What are symptoms of nerve damage in neck?

Symptoms of pinched nerve in the neck include:

  • A sharp pain in the arm.
  • Pain in the shoulder.
  • A feeling of numbness or pins and needles in the arm.
  • Weakness of the arm.
  • Worsening pain when you move your neck or turn your head.

What causes cervical spine issues?

What is the best treatment for cervical pain?

Can cervical be cured?

Although there are several very good nonsurgical and surgical treatment options available to relieve the symptoms of cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy, there is no cure, per se, for the degenerative changes in the cervical spine that caused the symptoms.

Who treats cervical problem?

You might initially contact your family doctor about your neck pain, and he or she may refer you to: A doctor who specializes in nonoperative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions (physical medicine and rehabilitation) A doctor who specializes in arthritis and other diseases that affect the joints (rheumatologist)

What causes cervical spine disease?