Important features of this junction are:. Cervical pain may be caused by natural spinal degeneration of the cervicothoracic junction. These factors create an area of increased stress at the CTJ, both at rest and during movement. This area of stress may lead to CTJ dysfunction or instability during an injury, infection, or tumors that may affect this region. Watch Cervical Spine Anatomy Video. While the diagnosed problems at the C7-T1 level are less common, 2 research suggests that CTJ injuries may be missed during due to difficulties in visualizing this region on plain X-Ray films.
See Vertebral Fracture Symptoms. Watch Metastatic Spinal Cancer Video. Laminectomies of the cervical vertebrae at or just above the CTJ may cause instability in the region. In severe cases, CTJ injuries may affect the spinal cord or the C8 nerve roots. Sometimes, there may be difficulty in breathing if the first rib or rib muscles are injured. Nonsurgical treatments are usually tried first to treat CTJ injuries. In cases where instability of the CTJ occurs or when nonsurgical treatments do not provide relief, surgery may be considered.
See Treatment for Neck Pain References 1. Between the C6 and C7 vertebrae are intervertebral disks, which are thin cushions of fibrocartilage for shock absorption and alignment. The C7 has similar anatomical characteristics to C6, except the C7 vertebra is superior to the first thoracic vertebra T1 and earns the name vertebra prominens from it being visible and felt at the base of the neck.
The spinal nerve C8 extends from the spinal column from below the C7 vertebra and between it and the T1 vertebra. This spinal nerve serves as both a sensory root and motor root. A C7 vertebrae pain or disc injury may indicate the C8 nerve is also at risk at being compressed or pinched.
These vertebrae protect the spinal cord, including the C8 nerve. Each vertebrae has a hollow, bony tunnel called the spinal canal which shields the spinal cord. The locations of C6 and C7 vertebrae allow them to support both the neck and the head. The C6 also provides blood flow to the brain. The vertebra has openings to allow blood vessels to travel through it to the brain. The C8 spinal nerve allows the brain to send motor controls for muscle movements. The C8 nerve helps control the hands, including finger flexion handgrip and the forearm.
The C6 and C7 support each other in carrying most of the weight of the head and bearing support for the lower neck. Although C8 does not have a vertebra, the nerve extends from the C7 vertebrae and exits out between C7 and T1 vertebrae from a small opening called the intervertebral foramen. C6 injury symptoms may be experienced on one or both sides of the body, depending upon the extent of the damage. Survivors of injuries at this level may be able to drive a modified car with hand controls.
Patients with spinal cord tissue or nerve damage near the C6 vertebra often experience a false case of carpal tunnel syndrome. Therapy, such as C6 spinal cord injury exercises, may address these issues. Having C7 vertebrae pain is an indicator of damage to this vertebrae. A survivor of a C7 SCI will likely have full neck movement but may sense tingling and numbness in the hands and fingers, as well as referred pain in the shoulder blade.
Types of spinal cord injury to this area have similar symptoms to those at the C6 and C7 levels. Depending upon the completeness, a C8 injury will lead to paralysis of the legs, trunk, and hands, with patients maintaining shoulder and arm movement. Treatment for these types of spinal cord injury are aimed at retaining as much function as possible while regaining lost function.
Several therapy options may be tried to aid in spinal cord damage recovery. Mental therapy for a C8 injury and vertebrae damage is also a very important part of treating a spinal cord injury patient. The therapist can help the patient deal with the emotional side of recovery. Critical Care Clinics. Netter, F. Atlas of Human Anatomy. New Jersey: Novartis. Waxman, S. Correlative Neuroanatomy. Stamford: Lange. Critical Care Trauma Centre. What Motor Fun ction is Consistent with C7? The nerve root of C7 runs between vertebrae C6 and C7.
Motor function includes: full shoulder movement rotation, adduction and abduction strong scapular stability elbow extension - tricep ability to straighten bent arm strong wrist extension moderate grasp extensor digitorium muscle permits extension of digits, some finger flexor muscle intact trunk stability respiratory reserve remains poor.
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