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Related Concept Videos

Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature01:16

Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature

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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.
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...
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Articulations of the Vertebral Column01:28

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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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Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy01:15

Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy

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The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...
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General Structure of a Vertebra01:30

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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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Muscles of the Vertebral Column01:27

Muscles of the Vertebral Column

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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:
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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Spinal Cord01:26

Spinal Cord

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The spinal cord, a critical component of the central nervous system, extends from the base of the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It is essential for maintaining physical stability and facilitating communication between the brain and peripheral parts of the body.
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Warm Moxibustion and Scraping as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis Treatment
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Spine Conditions: Cervical Spine Conditions.

Marc A Childress1

  • 1Virginia Commonwealth University Fairfax Family Medicine Residency Program, 3650 Joseph Siewick Drive Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22033.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neck pain causes range from trauma to degeneration. Evaluation uses history, exam, and imaging, with treatments varying from mobilization for soft tissue injuries to surgery for fractures and spinal cord injury.

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Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Neurology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Neck pain has diverse etiologies, including trauma, degenerative changes, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Accurate diagnosis relies on patient history, physical examination findings, and appropriate imaging or ancillary testing.
  • Management strategies are tailored to the underlying cause, ranging from conservative care to surgical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic approaches and management principles for various causes of neck pain.
  • To highlight the importance of differentiating between soft tissue injuries, fractures, cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, and inflammatory arthropathies.
  • To discuss the current understanding and controversies surrounding treatments for acute spinal cord injury.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment modalities for common and uncommon causes of neck pain.
  • Emphasis on the role of history and physical examination in guiding diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.
  • Discussion of evidence-based management for acute injuries, degenerative conditions, and inflammatory disorders affecting the cervical spine.

Main Results:

  • Soft tissue injuries typically benefit from early mobilization; fractures require management based on instability.
  • Acute spinal cord injury necessitates emergent care, with surgical decompression as a potential option, though adjunctive therapies remain debated.
  • Cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy often respond to conservative treatment, while inflammatory conditions may require specific pharmacologic interventions.

Conclusions:

  • A systematic approach integrating clinical evaluation and targeted treatments is crucial for managing diverse neck pain presentations.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis influences patient outcomes, particularly in cases of spinal cord injury and significant degenerative changes.
  • Physical therapy modalities offer significant benefits for both acute and chronic stable neck conditions, complementing other treatment strategies.