Anatomy & Organs

The neck – structure, function & diseases

The neck

The neck always causes pain when turning the head and restricts mobility. As a rule, something in the form of stress actually seems to be “sitting on our necks” – tension , hardening, headaches & Co. included. The good news: Such complaints are usually harmless.

What is the nape

The nape is the back of the neck. The mobility of the head and upper body is incumbent on him. The cervical spine and neck muscles are among its most important structures.

A ” stiff neck “, “lifted up”, “made a wrong move” or “getting too much tension” – many people think of these triggers first when they feel a tension in the neck. Orthopedic complaints such as cervical spine syndrome and tension headaches are at the top of the list of neck disorders. Neck tension can be eliminated – for example, through sports exercises that strengthen the neck and back.

In the case of recurring or long-lasting neck pain, further research into the cause is recommended. It is not uncommon for complaints in the neck area to be the result of bad everyday habits. This includes bad posture as well as emotional causes, bad sitting position at work as well as not enough sleep. Living a healthier everyday life can be the key to fighting neck pain. Above all, this includes reducing stress – both privately and professionally.

Anatomy & Structure

Anatomically, the neck – in addition to the cervical spine and the poll – includes various muscles and receptors. The muscles in the neck area are divided into two groups – the front and the rear group.

The neck gets its bony stability from seven cervical vertebrae. In principle, there is an intervertebral disc between each adjacent cervical vertebrae . The only exception: the intervertebral disc is missing between the first and second cervical vertebrae. The second cervical vertebra has a special feature – it has a thorn (dens axis). The latter, together with the first cervical vertebra, resembles a hinge and thus enables an articulated connection.

In contrast to the thoracic and lumbar spine , the cervical spine in the neck has additional joints (uncovertebral joints). These serve to strengthen the cervical spine in particularly stressed areas. The musculature of the neck is characterized by its complex structure.

The latter – combined with spatial confinement – is also to be regarded as the main cause of disorders with a wide variety of symptoms. Headaches, ringing in the ears , dizziness , neck pain and pain in the shoulders and arms can all have their roots in the neck and cervical spine.

Function & Tasks

The functions of the neck muscles, located on both the right and left of the vertebral bodies, are very complex. Supporting the vertebral bodies and allowing head and neck movement are among the basic functions of the muscles in the neck area.

Whether it’s forward tilting, side to side, or head leaning back toward the neck, the primary function of the neck muscles is to lift the head. The movements of the head result from the interaction of the various muscles.

From a health point of view – also for targeted neck training – the area of ​​the trapezius muscle is of great importance. This is responsible for both raising the shoulders and lowering them under heavy loads. The trapezius muscle, also called the cap or hood muscle, is located in the neck and upper back.

The upper portion of this muscle—along with other muscles—is responsible for raising the shoulders, while the middle portion allows the shoulder blades to converge toward the spine. And the lower part essentially ensures that the shoulder girdle is pulled down.

Diseases & Ailments

If the neck causes problems, the diagnosis “stiff neck” is often the focus. This is muscular tension. The entire neck and shoulder area not only feels hard, but also painful to pressure.

Problems with parking, for example, are typical: Turning around when parking is difficult and hardly possible. The pain can come on overnight or gradually increase over a longer period of time.

Whatever the case, the symptoms are usually uncomfortable because they are often associated with a major restriction in mobility. Anyone who tries to ignore this pain or has already gotten used to it must expect that the muscular tension will lead to incorrect posture and strain on the neck. A misalignment in the neck that is not corrected can lead to kyphotic malposition and ultimately trigger herniated discs . Herniated discs in the neck area are among the second most common in the spinal column complex.

Osteoporosis is also considered a trigger for neck pain: In this case, the vertebral bodies of the cervical spine are reduced in terms of their density. What is known as whiplash injury to the cervical spine also causes pain . In the case of the condition caused in particular by a rear-end collision, the main focus is on overstretching the neck muscles, in addition to overstretching the neck muscles in the front area.

Bony injuries in the neck are comparatively rare – but their consequences are all the more serious: the spinal cord and the delicate bone structures of the cervical spine form a unit. Spinal cord injuries from bone splinters can lead to paraplegia .

Ultimately, however, today’s professional world with its VDU workstations and correspondingly continuous and strenuous movement sequences already leads to fatigue injuries in the neck area (repetitive strain injuries, also known as secretary’s disease). Once again the boss seems to have been breathing down our necks.

Lisa Newlon
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Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.