The cervical spine is the most superior portion of the vertebral column, lying between the cranium and the thoracic vertebrae. It consists of seven distinct vertebrae, two of which are given unique names: The first cervical vertebrae (C1) is known as the atlas. The second cervical vertebrae (C2) is known as the axis.

1. CERVICAL SPINE
PART 1
PHYSIOTHERAPY JUNOON BY
Dr. VINITA

2. To fathom the Cervical Spine
 The occiput, atlas, axis and surrounding soft tissues are collectively
referred to as the craniocervical region.
 Atypical, modified vertebrae (the atlas and axis), the absence of
intervertebral discs, the presence of an odontoid peg and the
configuration of double convex joints bilaterally at the C1–C2
articulation.
 The atlas (C1) and axis (C2) together with the occiput form a unique
triad of articulations referred to as the occipito–atlantoaxial (O-AA)
complex.

4. This complex is responsible for approximately one-third or 20° of the
total cervical sagittal plane movements of flexion and extension.
4–7° of flexion and 17–21° of extension occur across this complex with the majority of
this movement occurring specifically at the atlanto-occipital joint (C0-C1)

5. ATLANTO-OCCIPITAL JOINT
The atlanto-occipital joint (A-O joint) configuration is specifically designed to facilitate
upper cervical flexion and extension (retraction and protraction).
The lack of intervertebral disc along with the congruous joint surfaces, which are long
and thin and orientated in a posterior–anterior direction, facilitate the nodding
movement of the head on neck.
Axial rotation is the largest range of motion available across the O-AA Studies
consistently show that the atlanto-axial joint provides 60% of the total cervical
rotation, which amounts to approximately 38–56° to each side.

6. Cervical rotation has been shown to start at the C1–C2 level and to continue
sequentially down the cervical spine with each joint moving only once the preceding
joint has completed its range of movement
Although the first, second and seventh vertebrae have special features, the rest of the
vertebrae of the cervical spine are almost identical with the sixth having only minor
distinguishing features.

7. The Vertebral Body
The typical vertebra consists of two parts: the vertebral body and the vertebral arch. The body of the
typical vertebra is a relatively small and broad mass of trabecular, spongy bone covered by a layer of
cortical bone.

8. The cervical intervertebral joints are saddle-shaped and they consist of two concavities facing each
other at 90°.

10. The Vertebral Arch