cervical spine

spine (spīn)

1. a slender, thornlike process or projection.

2. vertebral column.

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alar spine , angular spine s. of sphenoid bone.

bamboo spine  the rigid spine produced by ankylosing spondylitis, so called from its radiographic appearance.

cervical spine  that portion of the spine comprising the cervical vertebrae.

cleft spine  spina bifida.

ischial spine  a bony process projecting backward and medialward from the posterior border of the ischium.

lumbar spine  that portion of the spine comprising the lumbar vertebrae.

mental spine, inferior  the lower part of a small bony projection on the internal surface of the mandible, near the lower end of the midline, serving for attachment of the geniohyoid muscle.

mental spine, superior  the upper part of a small bony projection on the internal surface of the mandible, near the lower end of the midline, serving for attachment of the genioglossus muscle.

nasal spine, anterior  the sharp anterosuperior projection at the anterior extremity of the nasal crest of the maxilla.

nasal spine, posterior  a sharp, backward-projecting bony spine forming the medial posterior angle of the horizontal part of the palatine bone.

neural spine  the spinous process of a vertebra.

palatine spines  laterally placed ridges on the lower surface of the maxillary part of the hard palate, separating the palatine sulci.

poker spine , rigid spine the ankylosed spine produced by rheumatoid spondylitis.

spine of scapula  a triangular bony plate attached by one end to the back of the scapula.

sciatic spine  ischial s.

spine of sphenoid bone  the posterior and downward projection from the lower aspect of the great wing of the sphenoid bone.

thoracic spine  that part of the spine comprising the thoracic vertebrae.

spine of tibia  a longitudinally elongated, raised and roughened area on the anterior crest of the tibia.

trochlear spine  a bony spicule on the anteromedial part of the orbital surface of the frontal bone for attachment of the trochlea of the superior oblique muscle.

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cervical spine,

that portion of the spine comprising the cervical vertebrae.

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spine [spīn]

1. a thornlike process or projection; called also acantha and spina.

2. the rigid bony structure in the midline of the back, composed of the vertebrae; called also backbone, spinal column, and vertebral column.



The spinal column is the axis of the skeleton; the skull and limbs are in a sense appendages. The vertebrae also provide the protective bony corridor (spinal canal) through which the spinal cord passes; they can move to a certain extent and so give flexibility to the spine, allowing it to bend forward, sideways and, to a lesser extent, backward. In the areas of the neck and lower back, the spine also can pivot, which permits the turning of the head and torso.

There are usually 24 movable vertebrae and nine that are fused together. The topmost are the seven cervical vertebrae, which form the back of the neck, supporting the skull. The head turns from side to side by means of a pivotal motion between the two highest vertebrae. Below these are the 12 thoracic vertebrae, the supports on which the ribs are hinged, and then the five lumbar vertebrae, the largest movable vertebrae (the cervical are the smallest). Below the lumbar vertebrae, the spine terminates with two groups of vertebrae fused into single bones: the sacrum, composed of five vertebrae, and the coccyx, composed of four vertebrae. Viewed from the side of the body, the spine has the shape of a gentle double S curve.

Malformations of the Spine. Of the various types of spinal malformations, some are congenital and others the result of postural defects or injuries. spina bifida is congenital. kyphosis may occasionally be congenital but is more often caused by one of the diseases that attack the structure of the bones. The most common of these is pott's disease, or tuberculosis affecting the vertebrae and soft tissues of the spine. Another is osteitis deformans, a type of bone inflammation in which parts of the bone are replaced by softer tissue. scoliosis is a curvature of the spine toward one side.

cervical spine that portion of the spine comprising the cervical vertebrae.

lumbar spine that portion of the spine comprising the lumbar vertebrae.

thoracic spine that part of the spine comprising the thoracic vertebrae.

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cervical

pertaining to the neck or to the cervix.

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cervical ankylosis

ankylosis of the intervertebral joints. See also hypervitaminosis A.

cervical aplasia

segmental aplasia of the genital tract may be manifested by the absence or deformity of the cervix. Infertility is absolute. Diagnosis in large animals can be performed by rectal palpation; small animals may require surgical exploration.

cervical cirrhosis

caused by severe laceration at parturition; a rare cause of dystocia.

cervical curve

one of the vertebral curves of the body.

cervical dislocation

satisfactory method of euthanasia for laboratory mice, immature rats and poultry. Must be performed by an experienced person in order to achieve rapid and humane death.

cervical fixation

suturing of the cervix through the vaginal floor to the prepubic tendon. Used in the treatment of vaginal prolapse in cows.

cervical incompetence

damage to the cervix during parturition in the mare may cause its deformity and render it incapable of effectively closing off the uterus from the vagina. Infection of the uterus and infertility result.

incomplete cervical dilation

incomplete dilation of the cervix during parturition in adult cows, less commonly in heifers, may necessitate obstetrical, even cesarean, assistance; thought to be hormonal. See also ringwomb in ewes.

cervical inflammation

see cervicitis.

cervical instability, cervical malformation, cervical malarticulation

see canine wobbler syndrome.

cervical line lesions

of the tooth neck characterized by progressive, subgingival, osteoclastic resorption. These occur commonly in cats. See odontoclastic resorption.

cervical lymphadenitis

infection with abscessation of cervical lymph nodes in guinea pigs; usually caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus.

cervical massage

suitable for use only in cows. The fetus is pulled up into the cervix and light traction maintained while a well-lubricated hand is pushed gently between the cervix and the fetus. This is done repeatedly and continued if there is no evidence of trauma. The cervix may dilate sufficiently to allow normal delivery of the calf.

cervical mucus

from the cervix. Its presence in liberal amounts is used as an indication of estrus.

cervical paralysis

inability to lift the head, usually accompanied by paralysis of all four limbs.

cervical plexus

see cervical plexus.

cervical rib

a supernumerary rib arising from a cervical vertebra.

cervical spinal cord lesion

includes fracture-dislocation, cervical vertebral abscess, compression due to exostosis, spinal myelitis and myelacia, congenital lesions including spinal canal stenosis.

cervical spine

cervical vertebrae.

cervical spondylolisthesis, spondylopathy

see canine wobbler syndrome.

cervical spondylosis

see cervical ankylosis (above).

cervical static stenosis

one of the two syndromes listed under cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy; characterized by compression of the cord at C5 to C7 in large male horses 1-4 years of age; the position of the neck is immaterial; the resulting syndrome is characterized by an insidious onset of ataxia. See also enzootic equine incoordination.

cervical stenotic myelopathy

focal myelopathy caused by compression of the spinal cord by excessive flexion of the neck in patients, especially dogs, in which there is a pre-existing narrowing of one of the two vertebral foramina in one or more vertebrae, especially cervical vertebrae. See also degenerative myeloencephalopathy.

cervical swab

swab of the os cervix for bacterial and virological examination for pathogens likely to affect fertility adversely. Used in fertility examination of cases of prolonged infertility in ruminants. See also uterine swab.

cervical syndrome

clinical signs caused by a lesion of the spinal cord between C1 and C5. They include tetraparesis to tetraplegia or hemiparesis to hemiplegia, hyperreflexia, hypertonia, depressed postural responses and sometimes cervical pain.

cervical trauma

most common are lacerations during parturition; resulting adhesions and fibrosis may cause subsequent dystocia.

cervical vertebrae

the skeleton of the neck, in most mammals comprising seven vertebrae, in birds up to 25.

cervical vertebra fracture

in horses occurs as a result of head-on collisions at speed; causes recumbency and inability to move limbs voluntarily, but there is full consciousness and patient can eat and drink if assisted.

cervical vertebral malformation malarticulation syndrome

see wobbler syndrome

cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy

one of the causes of incoordination in young horses. See also enzootic equine incoordination.

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cervical spine

Clinical anatomy The region of the vertebral column encompassing C1 through C7

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Patient discussion about cervical spine.

Q. I have hurt my cervical spine and shoulder in a rear end car crash in July. Why does it still hurt?

A. Spine and back injuries are known to to be causing a lot of pain and discomfort and for a long period of time. You should try and do some mellow exercise and physiotherapy that might help you a lot. If the pain is unbarable, you should consult your doctor about using pain medications.