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The number of vertebrae in a region can vary but overall the number remains the same. In a human spinal column, there are normally 33 vertebrae. [3] The upper 24 pre-sacral vertebrae are articulating and separated from each other by intervertebral discs, and the lower nine are fused in adults, five in the sacrum and four in the coccyx, or tailbone.
They allow for flexion and extension and limit lateral flexion in the cervical spine. Pathological processes that can occur in these joints include degenerative changes or hypertrophic arthritis, resulting in foraminal stenosis and nerve compression. Foraminal stenosis at this joint is the most common cause of cervical nerve root pressure.
This practice has come under review recently as incidence rates of unstable spinal trauma can be as low as 2% in immobilized patients. In clearing the cervical spine, Canadian studies have developed the Canadian C-Spine Rule (CCR) for physicians to decide who should receive radiological imaging. [9]
It is the space within the thecal sac which extends from below the end of the spinal cord (the conus medularis), typically at the level of the first to second lumbar vertebrae down to tapering of the dura at the level of the second sacral vertebra. The dura is pierced with a needle during a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
In anatomy, the axis (from Latin axis, "axle") is the second cervical vertebra (C2) of the spine, immediately inferior to the atlas, upon which the head rests. The spinal cord passes through the axis. The defining feature of the axis is its strong bony protrusion known as the dens, which rises from the superior aspect of the bone.
At each cervical level, the vertebral artery sends branches to the surrounding musculature via the anterior spinal arteries. Segments of vertebral artery anterior projection. The vertebral artery may be divided into four parts: The first (preforaminal) part runs upward and backward between the anterior scalene and the longus colli muscles.
The prevertebral space is a space in the neck.. On one side it is bounded by the prevertebral fascia. [1]On the other side, some sources define it as bounded by the vertebral bodies, [2] and others define it as bounded by the longus colli.
Retrolistheses are most easily diagnosed on lateral x-ray views of the spine. Views where care has been taken to expose for a true lateral view without any rotation offer the best diagnostic quality. Retrolistheses are found most prominently in the cervical spine and lumbar region but can also be seen in the thoracic area.