Descriptive Anatomy and Embryology of the Cervical Spine

A thorough understanding of both embryological origins of the cervical structures and their final anatomical arrangement provides the spine surgeon with landmarks and surgical corridors to tackle the complex pathology of the spine. As the uppermost segment of the spine, the cervical spine acts as a support structure for the head, and connects all the vital components, from vascular to neural, to the extremities and vital organs. The cervical spine is highly mobile, and it lacks an external osseous structure, making it particularly vulnerable to degenerative processes and injury, thus concentrating a wide range of pathology in an area that is densely packed with complex anatomy. This chapter will grant the surgeon an understanding of cervical spine anatomy, from its embryological origins and coding to the tight structural relationships and key anatomical variations that one must keep in mind while operating in this region.