- Click here for access to the full Anatomy Glossary.
- Right click on the image for a downloadable file of this muscle.
- Use of this artwork requires proper credit to be given (Permission: Dr. Joe Muscolino. www.learnmuscles.com)
Ranges of motion (ROM) of the cervical (cervicocranial) spine.
Permission Dr. Joe Muscolino (www.learnmuscles.com)
The cervical spine can move in all three cardinal planes (sagittal, frontal, and transverse).
- The average number of degrees of motion that the cervical (cervicocranial – head and neck) spine can move is:
- Flexion — 50 degrees
- Extension — 80 degrees
- Right lateral flexion — 45 degrees
- Left lateral flexion — 45 degrees
- Right rotation — 80 degrees
- Left rotation — 80 degrees
- Of course these ROMs are for a healthy young adult and are often less as we age. But they are still the ideal.
Note: 45% of all cervicocranial rotation occurs at the atlanto-axial (C1-C2) joint!
