Joints of the cervical vertebral column

The developing understanding of the morphology of the cervical spine has revealed the complexity of the system. A review of selected literature reported that a number of the joints have an unusual nature and exhibit complicated and even paradoxical motions. For the practicing therapist, the signific...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy 2001-04, Vol.31 (4), p.174-182
Main Authors: Mercer, S R, Bogduk, N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atlanto-Axial Joint - anatomy & histology
Atlanto-Axial Joint - physiology
Atlanto-Occipital Joint - anatomy & histology
Atlanto-Occipital Joint - physiology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Cervical Vertebrae - physiology
Humans
Intervertebral Disc - anatomy & histology
Intervertebral Disc - physiology
Range of Motion, Articular
Rotation
spine (cervical)
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Summary:The developing understanding of the morphology of the cervical spine has revealed the complexity of the system. A review of selected literature reported that a number of the joints have an unusual nature and exhibit complicated and even paradoxical motions. For the practicing therapist, the significance of these observations is that assessment and treatment procedures of the cervical spine must be very carefully analyzed. There are significant differing behaviors of some of the cervical joints in response to small changes in movement patterns or initial positioning. Therefore it is not possible to broadly classify results of assessment procedures as normal or pathological without a clear and detailed understanding of the underlying morphology.
ISSN:0190-6011
1938-1344
DOI:10.2519/jospt.2001.31.4.174