C5 helps control the deltoids (which form the rounded contours of the shoulders) and the biceps (which allow bending of the elbow and rotation of the forearm).The C4 dermatome covers parts of the neck, shoulders, and upper part of arms. C4 helps control upward shoulder movements.Ĭ4 (along with C3 and C5) also helps power the diaphragm-the sheet of muscle that stretches to the bottom of the rib cage for breathing.See The C1-C2 Vertebrae and Spinal Segment The C2 dermatome handles sensation for the upper part of the head, and the C3 dermatome covers the side of the face and back of the head.Ģ Felten DL, O’Banion MK, Maida MS. C1, C2, and C3 (the first three cervical nerves) help control the head and neck, including movements forward, backward, and to the sides.ġ Magee DJ.While innervation can vary from person to person, some common patterns include: In some very rare cases, permanent damage or disability can occur due to too much compression of the spinal cord or nerve fibers.Ī person with CS should immediately seek medical attention if he/she experiences sudden loss of movement sudden feeling of weakness or numbness or loss of bladder or bowel control.Cervical spinal nerves, also called cervical nerves, provide functional control and sensation to different parts of the body based on the spinal level where they branch out from the spinal cord. People with severe arthritis in other body areas are also likely to develop CS. In addition, being physically inactive or being overweight can also contribute. Occupations that demand putting extra stress on the neck, such as those with a lot of repetitive neck movements, awkward positioning of the neck, or excessive overhead work, can make people more susceptible to CS.Īmong lifestyle factors, smoking is known to significantly increase the risk of CS. Moreover, emotional distress, such as depression and anxiety, can be a risk factor. A family history of neck pain is often a contributing factor.Ī previous incidence of neck injury or spinal surgery can sometimes increase the chance of developing CS. Some people inherit the tendency to develop CS. The condition is very much associated with the normal age-related changes in the body. The most common risk factor for CS is age. Some people experience headaches, especially at the backside of the head, and loss of bladder or bowel control. The nerve compression may also cause lack of coordination and balance during movement of the body. Moreover, compression of the spinal cord or nerve fibers can lead to weakness or numbness in the arms, hands, legs, and fingers. The pain experienced in CS may become worse in certain conditions, such as after standing or sitting during sneezing, coughing, or laughing and at night.Ī grinding noise or sensation may occur while moving the neck. The neck pain often spreads to the arms or shoulders. The intensity of the symptoms increases when the neck is held in a particular position for a long time, such as during driving a car or reading a book. The most common symptoms of CS are mild to severe pain and stiffness in the neck. Symptoms Play What are the symptoms of cervical spondylosis? All these changes ultimately result in collapsing of the disk space and loss of disk space height.Ĭervical Spondylosis. They also become dehydrated and weak over time. With age, degenerative changes in the spine cause compression of the disks. Intervertebral discs are present in between the bones to provide a cushioning effect. What are the causes of cervical spondylosis?Īnatomically, the spine is composed of 24 small bones (vertebrae) that form the spinal canal. The condition is mostly asymptomatic however, degenerative spinal changes sometimes compress the nerve fibers that run through the spinal canal, leading to weakness or numbness in the legs, arms, and hands. It mainly occurs in the cervical spine, which consists of seven small spinal bones (vertebrae) that form the neck. Cervical Spine, spinal cord and spondylosis, impressions with narrowing of the C5 / 6 area - Image Credit: nuiza11 / Shutterstock What is cervical spondylosis?Ĭervical spondylosis (CS) is a medical condition used to define age-related wears and tears of the spine.
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