Final answer:
The cervical spine's range of motion includes flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation, which can be altered by factors like pregnancy or obesity, leading to increased curvature and shear stress. Landmarks for identification include the bifid process and the transverse foramen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stress Lines of Cervical Spine
The cervical spine consists of cervical vertebrae which allow for flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation due to their unique articular process orientations. The spinal column supports the head and upper body, and its curvature can lead to increased shearing forces. Common landmarks for the cervical spine include a small body, a bifid spinous process, and U-shaped transverse processes with a transverse foramen. Flexion should allow an anterior (forward) bending of the neck, while extension should facilitate a posterior (backward) bending. Movements of the cervical spine may be altered by conditions that affect the integrity of the vertebrae, such as pregnancy, obesity, or disc injuries, which change the normal curvature and result in increased shear forces on the vertebral segments.
Landmarks of the cervical spine include the identifiable bifid spinous process of a typical cervical vertebra and the prominent C7 vertebra at the base of the neck. Flexion should result in anterior bending, whereas extension should lead to a backward movement. These movements can be altered by factors like pregnancy or obesity, which increase the curvature of the spine and the shear stress.