Lower Cervical Spine Biomechanics

Lateral Flexion (Sidebending)
 The combined amount of lateral flexion that is available in the lower cervical spine is equal to approximately 40 degrees to each side. Click here to display a table that summarizes these findings. During lateral flexion the interspaces of the zygapopheseal joints between two vertebra open and close by an angle equal to the angle of lateral flexion. Because of the coupling of rotation with sidebending (Type II Mechanics), pure lateral flexion is only possible for small angles.

Click here to visualize normal sidebending of the lower cervical spine. Notice that rotation is coupled to the same side with sidebending. Click here to visualize sidebending of the lower cervical spine when a barrier is present that restricts normal symmetric sidebending (and rotation). You should be able to determine if the restriction is to the left or to the right.
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