What is the cervical spine?

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The cervical spine, or the part of the spine from your head to the base of your neck, is made up of seven bones that stack on each other, called vertebrae. The first two vertebrae of the cervical spine are unique in shape and function. The first vertebra, the atlas (C1), is a ring-shaped bone that begins at the base of your skull. This bone holds your head upright. The second vertebra, the axis (C2), allows the atlas to pivot against it for the side-to-side “no” rotation of your head.

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The seven cervical vertebrae (C1 to C7) are connected at the back of the bone by a joint called the facet joints, which allow for the forward, backward and twisting motions of your neck.

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The cervical spine is also comprised of muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments. Intervertebral discs are located between each vertebra and are responsible for cushioning the bones above and below them. The spinal cord runs through the center of the entire spine. The spinal cord sends and receives messages from the brain, which controls all aspects of the body’s functions.

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Disks in the cervical spine

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Cervical disks are the shock absorbers that sit between each vertebra. Each disk is between each vertebra, making up six disks total in the cervical spine. In addition to cushioning against stresses placed on your neck, the disks allow flexion and rotatation of your head more easily during activity.

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Nerves in the cervical spine

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Eight pairs of spinal nerves exit through the small foramen, or openings , between every pair of vertebrae in the cervical spine. They’re labeled C1 through C8. They stimulate muscle movement in the neck, shoulder, arm and hand, and provide sensation.

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Spinal cord

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The spinal cord is a bundle of nerve tissue that extends from the lower part of your brain to your body. It carries messages between the brain and the muscles.

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What diseases and disorders affect the cervical spine?

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Many diseases and conditions result from problems in the cervical spine and the surrounding soft tissues and nerves. These include:

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• Cervical radiculopathy

• Neck pain

• Cervical degenerative disk disease

• Herniated disk

• Cervical osteophytes

• Cervical spondylosis

• Cervical spinal cord injury

• Cervical spinal fracture

• Cervical spinal cord compression (cervical spondylotic myelopathy

• Cervical stenosis

• Cervical spinal tumor and cancer

• Cervical discitis

• Osteomyelitis

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What are the nonsurgical treatment options for cervical spine conditions?

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Generally, less invasive approaches for neck pain are exhausted before surgery is considered. Some common nonsurgical treatment options include:

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• Rest

• Ice or heat

• A soft cervical collar

• Avoiding strenuous or aggravating physical activity

• Physical therapy

• Medications, including muscle relaxants, pain relievers (such as acetaminophen) and anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen and naproxen)

• Steroid injections

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What surgical treatment options are available for cervical spine conditions?

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Common surgical approaches include:

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• Cervical spinal decompression surgery

  • Cervical diskectomy

  • Cervical laminotomy or laminectomy

  • Cervical foraminotomy 

  • Cervical corpectomy

• Cervical disk replacement surgery

• Cervical spinal fusion

• Functional electrical stimulation for spinal cord injury