Neck Anatomy
Neck Anatomy connects the head and body and contains 7 vertebrae. The spinal cord, vital vessels, and nerves pass through a narrow area in the neck. The neck, whose main task is to carry the head, can frequently experience problems. Torticollis, a disease that causes congenital neck curvature, is thought to occur as a result of the strain on the sternocleidomastoid muscle on both sides of the neck during birth or due to stretching of the head for some reason. A tear occurs in the muscle, and shortening occurs as a result of bleeding in the muscle. The head tilts to one side, and the child constantly keeps their head tilted in one direction. In this disease, good results can be achieved with specific exercises in the early period. If the child is over one year old, it can only be corrected with surgery. In delayed cases, facial deformity may develop.
Problems originating from the spine are also common in the neck area. Cervical hernia, which occurs when the structures called discs between the vertebrae are torn and damaged, causing pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, is a disease that can occur. The patient experiences severe neck pain, which usually increases with movement and coughing. The pain can radiate to the arms, and in advanced cases, numbness and weakness may also occur in the arms. In treatment, medication (muscle relaxants and painkillers) and rest (neck brace, special neck pillow) are applied first. If these treatments do not work, or if there is significant pressure on the nerves, surgery may be required.