Our necks are our spines continuing above shoulder level so that our head can be supported and facilitated in its job. The neck is beautifully designed and engineered and performs its highly complex functions automatically without us having to give them any thought. Our heads are very heavy and placed on top of the lever which is the neck, however we can move them or stop moving them very quickly, positioning them at a very specific point within the large ranges of movement the neck can perform. The ears and eyes, some of our most vital organs of sensory input, are placed on the head and the neck has to serve their needs.
The neck is a complex of bones, ligaments, joints, discs and muscles. However it is important not to forget the rich supply of nerves which flow down from the nearby brain and have a variety of functions. Nerve commands go to the muscles for movement, nerve impulses flow from the skin, discs, muscle and joints to inform the brain what is going on and help with balance, and other nerves control circulation to the area. The complexity and delicacy of the neck is in conflict with its need to provide maximum range of motion and this can lead to difficulties.
When the neck starts to give problems they are usually mechanical at least initially, in other words the symptoms vary with posture and what the person is doing physically with their neck. Neck symptoms typically include pain and loss of movement but can also cover a very long list of other symptoms such as headache, dizziness, vision disturbance, balance loss, weakness and mental difficulties. Restoration of a relative state of normality can be established by settling down the joint and other dysfunctions in the neck.
Large degrees of joint mobility are present in the cervical spinal region and this is partly made possible by the greater thickness of the intervertebral discs in the cervical region compared to the other spinal areas. Larger ranges of movement are possible with thicker discs, and the facet joints are structurally larger than similar joints in any other spinal areas. The large gliding motions which are possible in the neck allow its high levels of mobility in the compromise between mobility and stability in the spine.
The atlas and the axis vertebrae, known also as the C1 and C2 vertebrae, are structurally quite different from the other five neck bones and are designed to manage the movement and support of the skull. The atlas and axis joint, the atlanto-axial joint, has a structure which ensures it has very great rotatory ability and this joint contributes significantly to the rotation of the whole neck. Neck movements are very extensive and include extension, flexion, side flexions and rotations, facilitating our ability to precisely place our faces in a huge range of positions so that we can perform the activities we wish to.
The underlying stability of the cervical spine is aided by the thoracic spine underneath it, also providing increased mobility. Without the contribution to its ease of motion from the thorax the neck would suffer increased forces where it meets the stiffer and heavier parts at each end, the thoracic spine and the skull. The neck projects from the thoracic spine up to the exposed and heavy head, the surrounding muscles acting like guy ropes to maintain it in a stabilised position under load and without shaking. It's a hard job as the head weighs a lot and is forward of the gravity centre so the muscular systems must have good strength and endurance to keep the head where we want it.
The flexor muscles of the neck are at the front and do not have a very difficult job, only working hard when we get up from lying on the back. The extensor muscles, however, are designed to hold our heads up and have to do it for many hours a day, frequently for the whole day. They only go off line when we lie down or start to nod off in a train for example, as our heads fall forward without the support of the extensors. Looking at the neck muscles it can be seen that although they may balance the neck there is significant downward compressive forces produced on the neck structures. - 14130
The neck is a complex of bones, ligaments, joints, discs and muscles. However it is important not to forget the rich supply of nerves which flow down from the nearby brain and have a variety of functions. Nerve commands go to the muscles for movement, nerve impulses flow from the skin, discs, muscle and joints to inform the brain what is going on and help with balance, and other nerves control circulation to the area. The complexity and delicacy of the neck is in conflict with its need to provide maximum range of motion and this can lead to difficulties.
When the neck starts to give problems they are usually mechanical at least initially, in other words the symptoms vary with posture and what the person is doing physically with their neck. Neck symptoms typically include pain and loss of movement but can also cover a very long list of other symptoms such as headache, dizziness, vision disturbance, balance loss, weakness and mental difficulties. Restoration of a relative state of normality can be established by settling down the joint and other dysfunctions in the neck.
Large degrees of joint mobility are present in the cervical spinal region and this is partly made possible by the greater thickness of the intervertebral discs in the cervical region compared to the other spinal areas. Larger ranges of movement are possible with thicker discs, and the facet joints are structurally larger than similar joints in any other spinal areas. The large gliding motions which are possible in the neck allow its high levels of mobility in the compromise between mobility and stability in the spine.
The atlas and the axis vertebrae, known also as the C1 and C2 vertebrae, are structurally quite different from the other five neck bones and are designed to manage the movement and support of the skull. The atlas and axis joint, the atlanto-axial joint, has a structure which ensures it has very great rotatory ability and this joint contributes significantly to the rotation of the whole neck. Neck movements are very extensive and include extension, flexion, side flexions and rotations, facilitating our ability to precisely place our faces in a huge range of positions so that we can perform the activities we wish to.
The underlying stability of the cervical spine is aided by the thoracic spine underneath it, also providing increased mobility. Without the contribution to its ease of motion from the thorax the neck would suffer increased forces where it meets the stiffer and heavier parts at each end, the thoracic spine and the skull. The neck projects from the thoracic spine up to the exposed and heavy head, the surrounding muscles acting like guy ropes to maintain it in a stabilised position under load and without shaking. It's a hard job as the head weighs a lot and is forward of the gravity centre so the muscular systems must have good strength and endurance to keep the head where we want it.
The flexor muscles of the neck are at the front and do not have a very difficult job, only working hard when we get up from lying on the back. The extensor muscles, however, are designed to hold our heads up and have to do it for many hours a day, frequently for the whole day. They only go off line when we lie down or start to nod off in a train for example, as our heads fall forward without the support of the extensors. Looking at the neck muscles it can be seen that although they may balance the neck there is significant downward compressive forces produced on the neck structures. - 14130
About the Author:
Jonathan Blood Smyth is the Superintendent of Physiotherapists at an NHS hospital in the South-West of the UK. He writes articles about back pain, neck pain, and injury management. If you are looking for physiotherapists in bradford visit his website.
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