Cervical vertebra
The cervical spine is part of the human spine. It represents the connection between the head and the rest of the spine. There are a total of 7 different vertebrae that lie on top of each other.
The first and second vertebrae play a prominent role. The first vertebra is called the atlas, the second vertebra is called the axis. The bony skull lies on the atlas.
The cervical spine is the thinnest section compared to the sections of the spine that follow it. Furthermore, it is also considered the most sensitive section, which is always at risk in the event of accidents (traumas). There are only a few differences in the structure of the vertebrae that connect below the first and second vertebrae.
The general structure of the cervical vertebral bodies is such that the actual vertebrae, also known as the corpus vertebrae, exist first. To the rear, this bone continues as the vertebral arch (Arcus vertebrae). This vertebral arch is divided into an anterior and posterior part.
At the transition between the two parts, a small bony prominence can be seen anatomically, which is called the superior articular process upward and the inferior articular process downward. The articular processes support the articular surface, the part of the vertebral body on which the corresponding movements are performed.The vertebra of each cervical vertebra ends at the back in a spinous process, a bony spear-like projection. This is also called the spinosus process.
In the third to sixth cervical vertebrae, this projection is divided into two parts, in the others it is only single-sided. There is a relatively large opening between the vertebral arches and vertebral bodies. This is larger in diameter in the cervical vertebrae than in the other vertebral bodies of the spinal column (vertebral foramen).
The vital nerve tracts lead through this opening. On the side of each vertebra is a transverse process, also known as the Processus transversus. Mainly bending movements of the head forward and backward as well as a rotational movement to the left and right are possible in the joints of the cervical spine.
Numerous mixed movements, such as those that occur when circling the head, can also be performed in the cervical spine. The movements of the cervical spine take place through the numerous muscles accompanying the spine (autochthonous muscles and short spinal muscles). It can quickly happen that the cervical spine becomes dislocated.
This happens especially during fast and jerky movements. This is usually a dislocation of the vertebrae. After accidents and fractures of the cervical vertebrae, irreversible paraplegia often occurs.
