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The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior brain, while the external carotid arteries supply blood to the face and neck. Left and right common carotid and vertebral arteries run on each side of the neck. Each common carotid artery branches into two divisions: the internal and external carotid artery. The common carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries are the major arteries in the neck. The neck contains blood vessels that supply blood to structures in the neck as well as pass through the neck to supply blood to the brain and face.
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The primary motion of the lower portion of the lower cervical unit is side-bending. The description of all spinal and vertebral movements are relative to motions of their anterior and superior surfaces. The primary motion of the upper portion of the lower cervical unit is rotation (C2-C4) is rotation. The dens permit pivoting motion and allow a greater range of motion in rotating the head laterally.Ĭ3 through C7 are known as "typical" cervical vertebrae. It projects up from the vertebral body and articulates with the atlas. C2, the axis, articulates superiorly with C1 by a unique bony structure called the dens or odontoid process. It is responsible for the vertical movement of the neck. It also functions to bear the weight of the skull, providing support. The primary motions of the OA joint are flexion and extension. It connects the skull to the neck, also providing attachment points for some neck muscles. While the cervical spine can undergo flexion, extension, rotation, and side-bending, each individual cervical joint has a primary motion.Ĭ1, the atlas, has no spinous process and articulates with the occipital condyles of the occiput bone of the skull, forming the occipital-atlanto (OA) joint. Cervical vertebrae C1 and C2 are known as "atypical" vertebrae due to the presence of special bony structures designed to support and move the skull.
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The neck, or cervical spine, is composed of 7 vertebrae.
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