In addition to supporting the head, the cervical spine allows for the neck’s flexibility and head’s range of motion. The cervical spine handles a heavy load, as the head weighs on average between 10 and 13 pounds. Watch Cervical Spinal Cord Anatomy Animation Together, these vertebrae keep the spinal cord shielded inside a bony tunnel called the spinal canal. Each vertebra has a large hole (vertebral foramen) for the spinal cord to pass through. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain and runs through the cervical spine and thoracic spine (upper and middle back) prior to ending just before the lumbar spine (lower back).
The cervical spine performs several crucial roles, including:
