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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...
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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.
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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...
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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...
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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...
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A typical vertebra, with the exception of the sacrum and coccyx, consists of a body, a vertebral arch, and seven different projections termed processes. The anterior portion of the vertebrae, the body, supports about half the body’s weight. The vertebral bodies progressively increase in size and thickness from the cervical region to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The intervertebral discs present between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae firmly unites them, forming a continuous...
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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:
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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

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Cervical vertebral realignment when voluntarily adopting a protective neck posture.

Robyn S Newell1, Gunter P Siegmund, Jean-Sébastien Blouin

  • 1*Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic and Injury Biomechanics Group †International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries ‡School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada §MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada ¶Brain Research Center ‖Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems **Combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Spine Program ††Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Spine
|May 15, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Tensing neck muscles alters cervical spine posture, increasing curvature and anterior vertebral motion. These changes are more pronounced when inverted, impacting injury mechanics during head impacts.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Human physiology
  • Spinal cord research

Background:

  • Rollover accidents pose significant risks for catastrophic neck injuries due to head impacts.
  • Computational models suggest active neck muscle engagement may heighten cervical spine fracture risk in crashes.
  • Cadaver studies highlight the importance of neck alignment and curvature in injury prevention, yet in vivo data is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how active neck muscle tensing affects cervical spine intervertebral posture.
  • To determine if these postural changes differ between upright and inverted positions.
  • To provide in vivo data on neck muscle activity and its influence on spinal alignment.

Main Methods:

  • An in vivo study involving eleven human volunteers (6 female, 5 male).
  • Subjects actively tensed their neck muscles in both upright and inverted seated positions.
  • Cervical spine alignment was assessed using fluoroscopy, and muscle activity was measured with surface and indwelling electrodes.

Main Results:

  • Active neck muscle tensing led to increased cervical spine curvature and anterior vertebral motion.
  • These postural alterations were more significant when subjects were inverted.
  • A notable difference in cervical intervertebral posture was observed between relaxed and tensed states.

Conclusions:

  • Active muscle contraction demonstrably alters cervical vertebral alignment in both upright and inverted postures.
  • These posture changes may modify the load path and injury mechanics during axial head impacts.
  • Findings may help elucidate discrepancies between real-world rollover accident injuries and cadaver experiment results.