Imagine stepping up to the dumbbell racks at the gym. Find a 10-pound weight and hold it straight up in the air. Now walk around like that for the entire day. Arm getting tired? That’s because it’s got nothing on your cervical spine.
Give Some Credit to Your Neck
The seven vertebrae of your neck, though they are smaller than all the rest, have the vital job of supporting your head, which can weigh up to 13 pounds. There are fewer bones of the body that work harder, or provide a more important range of very different functions, than the bones of your neck.
- They support your head.
- They allow an amazing range of natural motion.
- They give space to and protect the blood vessels.
- They host your spinal cord, which lets your brain communicate with the rest of your body.
A Natural Masterpiece
The vertebrae in your neck have special openings (called “foramen”) that allow your vertebral arteries to carry freshly oxygenated blood from your heard to your brain. No other section of vertebrae has these openings. Your cervical vertebrae also keep your spinal cord safe while working with a host of muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. That means you can turn your head in almost any direction while stabilizing this essential bodily conduit. Despite its complexity, your neck is very sturdy: most neck problems are due to natural wear and tear, not injuries.
The Atlas and the Axis
Specialized bones, unlike any in the rest of the spinal column, let you nod your head to say yes, and shake your head to say no. This is what your doctor would call rotation and flexion. The cervical vertebra that lies second from the top (known as C2) has a special upward peg of bone: an “axis” called the odontoid. The top vertebra (C1) has a special shape (the atlas) that pivots around this peg. C2 is what lets you shake your head, and C1 lets you nod.
Your neck is a marvel, but sometimes it needs a little help to keep moving smoothly. The doctors of Non-Surgical Orthopaedics are here any time. Schedule an appointment today by calling (770) 421-1420 or clicking on our web contact form.