| cervical plexus | A network of nerve fibres originating in the upper four cervical spinal cord segments. The cervical plexus distributes cutaneous nerves to parts of the neck, shoulders, and back of the head, and motor fibres to muscles of the cervical spinal column, infrahyoid muscles, and the diaphragm. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| cervical polyps | A benign growth projecting from the mucosa of the cervix. The cause is unknown but may be associated with local inflammation. They are more common in women over 20 who have had children. Some may cause bleeding and interfere with normal menstrual cycles. Diagnosis is by physical examination (pelvic exam). A PAP smear will be recommended since some cervical cancers may appear as a polyp. Treatment is surgical removal. (27 Sep 1997) |
| cervical pregnancy | The implantation and development of the impregnated ovum in the cervical canal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical radiculopathy | <neurology> A herniated intervertebral disk (nucleus pulposus) is one which has become displaced (prolapsed) from its normal position in between the vertebral bodies of the spine. Herniated disks often impinge on nearby nerve structures resulting in pain and neurologic symptoms. A clinical situation where the radicular nerve (nerve root) is compressed by the prolapsed disk is referred to as a radiculopathy. This problem tends to occur most commonly in the cervical and lumbar spine. Origin: Gr. Pathos = disease (27 Sep 1997) |
| cervical rib | A rib which arises from the seventh cervical vertebrae (above the normal first rib). Occurs in only about 0.5% of people. May cause nerve and artery problems. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cervical rib and band syndrome | <syndrome> Very chronic axon loss brachial plexopathy, caused by compromise of the lower trunk fibres by a congenital band extending from a rudimentary cervical rib to the first thoracic rib; rare disorder, found mostly in young to middle-aged women, that presents with unilateral hand wasting and weakness, particularly involving the lateral thenar eminence; sometimes accompanied by intermittent discomfort along the medial forearm and hand. Synonym: cervical rib and band syndrome, classic cervical rib syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical rib syndrome | <syndrome> Pain over the shoulder, often extending down the arm (cervicobrachial) or radiating up the back of the neck due to compression of the nerve and vessels between a cervical rib and the scalenus anticus muscle. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cervical rotator muscles | The rotator muscles attached to the cervical vertebrae. Synonym: musculi rotatores cervicis, cervical rotator muscles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical segments of spinal cord | The eight cervical segments [C1-C8] of the spinal cord which give rise to the eight pairs of cervical spinal nerves and constitute the cervical part of the spinal cord. Synonym: segmenta medullae spinalis cervicalia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical sinus | In young mammalian embryos a depression in the nuchal region caudal to the hyoid arch, with the third and fourth branchial arches and ectodermal grooves in its floor; normally it is obliterated after the second month, but occasionally cervical fistulae persist as vestiges of it. Synonym: precervical sinus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical smear | Cytological staining procedure for detecting and diagnosing various conditions, especially malignant and pre-malignant conditions of the cervix. (16 Dec 1997) |
| cervical spine fractures | <radiology> Hyperflexion injury (46-79%), odontoid fracture, simple wedge fracture (stable), tear drop fracture, anterior subluxation, bilateral locked facets (unstable), anterior disc space narrowing, widened interspinous distance, clay shoveler's fracture hyperextension injury (20-38%), anteriorly widened disc space, prevertebral swelling, tear drop fracture, neural arch fracture of C1, subluxation (anterior/posterior), hangman's fracture flexion-rotation injury (12%), unilateral locked facets (stable) vertical compression (12%), Jefferson fracture, burst fracture lateral flexion/shearing (4-6%), uncinate fracture, isolated pillar fracture, transverse process fracture, lateral vertebral compression location (by frequency): C2,C6 greater than C5,C7 greater than C3,C4 greater than C1 see: atlas fracture, axis fracture, unstable fractures (12 Dec 1998) |
| cervical spine fusion | <radiology> (ankylosis) Posterior elements, JRA, vertebral bodies, block vertebrae, Klippel-Feil (12 Dec 1998) |
| cervical splanchnic nerves | Segments of the visceral branches arising from the superior, middle, and inferior (stellate) cervical ganglia; they are part of the cardiopulmonary splanchnic nerves. Synonym: augmentor nerves. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical spondylosis | Degenerative joint disease of the cervical (neck) spine. Results in a progressive erosion of the cartilage which line the weight bearing joints in the neck. Progressive bony calcification can lead to obstruction of exiting nerve roots resulting in neurological symptoms. (27 Sep 1997) |