Cervical spinal nerve C7 controls triceps and wrist extension. Cervical spinal nerve C8 helps control the hand. The cervicocranial syndrome occurs when symptoms arise due to cervical vertebrae damage (misalignment, collapse, shift or disease, such as tumor) resulting in the improper functioning of the cervical spinal nerves. Examples of Cervicocranial Syndrome Pathophysiology
Chordoma
The craniocervical junction region comprises C1 (Atlas), C2 (Axis) and the lower part of the skull: occipital bone. In case of tumor: chordoma, in the craniocervical junction region, this leads to pressure on the cervical spinal nerves, which results in their improper functioning of the cervical spinal nerves. Hence, leading to symptoms of cervicocranial syndrome. To decompress the pressure on the nerves, the tumor is removed and the foramen through which the spinal nerve roots travel through is enlarged to allow the nerves to pass through so that symptoms of cervicocranial syndrome can be reduced and the nerves are sending signals. Atlanto-Occipital Assimilation
When the occipital bone and the atlas (C1) are fused together in a condition called atlanto-occipital assimilation, it causes improper functioning of the cervical spinal nerves due to the vascular compression. Surgical procedure can decompress the nerves and reduce symptoms. Trauma
Traumatic injuries are caused when external forces damage the cervical spine, giving rise to various symptoms. In a car accident, the vehicle jerks the neck forward and backward resulting in cervical spine damage resulting in a whiplash.
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