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Related Concept Videos

Muscles that Move the Head01:19

Muscles that Move the Head

The muscles that move the head are a dynamic and complex group of structures that work together to facilitate a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending.
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Anatomical Positions01:11

Anatomical Positions

In anatomy, several standard anatomical positions are used as references for describing the position and orientation of different body parts. These positions help provide a common frame of reference when discussing anatomical structures. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for describing the body's position and orientation. In this position:
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
Articulations of the Vertebral Column01:28

Articulations of the Vertebral Column

In addition to being held together by the intervertebral discs, adjacent vertebrae also articulate with each other at synovial joints formed between the superior and inferior articular processes called zygapophysial joints (facet joints). These are plane joints that provide for only limited motions between the vertebrae. The orientation of the articular processes at these joints varies in different regions of the vertebral column and serves to determine the types of motions available in each...
Muscles of the Anterior Neck01:26

Muscles of the Anterior Neck

The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. These muscles are classified into three subgroups. The first one is the superficial muscles, the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. It includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The second group is the suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. Lastly, the infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and...
Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature01:16

Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature

The vertebral column or spine is a flexible column that supports the head, neck, and body and  allows for their movements. It also protects the spinal cord.
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
Muscles of the Vertebral Column01:27

Muscles of the Vertebral Column

The back muscles that lie deep into the thoracolumbar fascia are called intrinsic or true back muscles. These muscles are divided into four layers: superficial, intermediate, deep, and deepest layers.
Superficial Layer:
The superficial layer consists primarily of the splenius muscles, which include the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis. These muscles are mainly responsible for the head and cervical spine movements, including extension, rotation, and lateral bending. The splenius capitis...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Assessment of Static Graviceptive Perception in the Roll-Plane using the Subjective Visual Vertical Paradigm
06:30

Assessment of Static Graviceptive Perception in the Roll-Plane using the Subjective Visual Vertical Paradigm

Published on: April 28, 2020

Cervical spine posteroanterior stiffness differs with neck position.

Suzanne J Snodgrass1, Haley R Rhodes

  • 1Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Australia. Suzanne.Snodgrass@newcastle.edu.au

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology
|June 2, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Cervical spine stiffness varies significantly with neck position. Measuring stiffness in extension yielded the lowest values, while flexion resulted in the highest, highlighting the need for standardized assessment in neck pain management.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Assessment of Static Graviceptive Perception in the Roll-Plane using the Subjective Visual Vertical Paradigm
06:30

Assessment of Static Graviceptive Perception in the Roll-Plane using the Subjective Visual Vertical Paradigm

Published on: April 28, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Spinal Kinematics
  • Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

  • Cervical spine stiffness is a key consideration in managing neck pain.
  • Objective quantification of cervical spine stiffness and influencing factors remain under-researched.
  • Neck position is a potential factor affecting cervical spine stiffness measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of neck position on objective cervical spine stiffness measurements.
  • To determine if maximal flexion, maximal extension, or neutral positions yield different stiffness values.

Main Methods:

  • An instrumented device assessed posteroanterior cervical spine stiffness at C4 in 25 asymptomatic subjects.
  • Measurements were taken in randomized maximal flexion, maximal extension, and neutral neck positions.
  • Stiffness was calculated as the slope of the force-displacement curve from standardized oscillatory pressures.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in cervical spine stiffness were observed across different neck positions (P < 0.001).
  • Stiffness was lowest in maximal extension (3.09 N/mm), intermediate in neutral (3.94 N/mm), and highest in maximal flexion (4.32 N/mm).

Conclusions:

  • Neck position significantly impacts objective cervical spine stiffness measurements.
  • Standardization of neck position during stiffness assessment is crucial for reliability and clinical utility.
  • Findings provide essential data for accurate evaluation and treatment of neck conditions.