#Cervical spine torn ligament x ray series

Soft tissue around the facet joint can be injured. Health care providers call this condition cervical radiculopathy. Most people think of these symptoms as indications of a pinched nerve. The pressure or irritation can be felt as numbness on the skin, weakness in the muscles, or pain along the path of the nerve. This is known as a rim lesion.ĭamage to the disc can put pressure on the nerves as they exit the spine. The cartilage between the disc and the vertebral bone is often cracked. Traumatic disc rupture and soft tissue damage can occur. When the head and neck are suddenly and forcefully whipped forward and back, mechanical forces place excessive stress on the cervical spine. Related Document: Davis and DeRosa Physical Therapy's Guide to Cervical Spine Anatomy Causes The alignment of the facet joints of the cervical spine allows freedom of movement as you bend and turn your neck. It allows the bone ends to move against each other smoothly, without pain. Articular cartilage is a smooth, rubbery material that covers the ends of most joints. The surfaces of the facet joints are covered by articular cartilage. There are two facet joints between each pair of vertebrae-one on each side of the spine. Ligaments are strong connective tissues that attach bones to other bones.

#Cervical spine torn ligament x ray series

The nucleus is held in place by the annulus, a series of strong ligament rings surrounding it. It provides most of the ability to absorb shock. The center, called the nucleus, is spongy. It also protects the spine during activities that put strong force on the spine, such as jumping, running, and lifting.Īn intervertebral disc is made up of two parts. It protects the spine against the daily pull of gravity. The disc normally works like a shock absorber. The disc is a specialized connective tissue structure that separates the two vertebral bodies of the spinal segment. Connective tissue is the material that holds the living cells of the body together. (The term used to describe more than one opening is neural foramina.)Įach spinal segment includes two vertebrae separated by an intervertebral disc, the nerves that leave the spinal cord at that level, and the small facet joints that link each level of the spinal column.Īn intervertebral disc is made of connective tissue. As the nerves leave the spinal cord, they pass through a small bony tunnel on each side of the vertebra, called a neural foramen. Two spinal nerves exit the sides of each spinal segment, one on the left and one on the right.

The nerve roots that come out of the cervical spine form the nerves that go to the arms and hands. Just as the skull protects the brain, the bones of the spinal column protect the spinal cord.Īs the spinal cord travels from the brain down through the spine, it sends out nerve branches between each vertebrae called nerve roots. This bony tube surrounds the spinal cord as it passes through the spine. When the vertebrae are stacked on top of each other, the rings form a hollow tube.

This is where the chest begins.Ī bony ring attaches to the back of the vertebral body. The cervical spine curves slightly inward and ends where C7 joins the top of the thoracic spine. The cervical spine starts where the top vertebra (C1) connects to the bottom edge of the skull. The cervical spine is formed by the first seven vertebrae referred to as C1 to C7. The spinal column is the body's main upright support. Vertebrae are stacked on top of one another to form the spinal column. The human spine is made up of 24 spinal bones, called vertebrae.