The ct myelogram procedure begins with a spinal tap performed on the lumbar region of the spine. This can be an extremely painful process. Once the spinal tap is complete, a contrasting dye injected into the spine. The patient would probably be placed on a rotating table during this time and strapped into place. A spinal X-ray is a procedure that uses radiation to make detailed pictures of the bones of your spine. It can help your doctor find out what's causing your back or neck pain. A technician uses a. 72052 x-ray spine cerv incl obli flex and ext 6 views 72082 x-ray spine entire survey / scoliosis study 71120 x-ray sternum 2 views 71130 x-ray sterno clavi joint 3 views 72070 x-ray thoracic spine 2 views 73010 x-ray scapula, complete 73030 x-ray shoulder l. XR Chest PA & LAT US Abdomen Complete XR KUB US Kidney XR C-Spine Series XR L-Spine Series US Pelvis Transabdominal w/ Transvaginal XR AP LAT Hip Series w/ AP Pelvis.
The neck, also called the cervical spine, is a well-engineered structure of bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The cervical spine is delicate—housing the spinal cord that sends messages from the brain to control all aspects of the body—while also remarkably strong and flexible, allowing the neck to move in all directions.
The neck is connected to the upper back through a series of seven vertebral segments.
Watch:Cervical Spine Anatomy Video
The cervical spine has 7 stacked bones called vertebrae, labeled C1 through C7. The top of the cervical spine connects to the skull, and the bottom connects to the upper back at about shoulder level. As viewed from the side, the cervical spine forms a lordotic curve by gently curving toward the front of the body and then back.
Roles of the Cervical Spine
The cervical spine performs several crucial roles, including:
- Protecting the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain and runs through the cervical spine and thoracic spine (upper and middle back) prior to ending just before the lumbar spine (lower back). Each vertebra has a large hole (vertebral foramen) for the spinal cord to pass through. Together, these vertebrae keep the spinal cord shielded inside a bony tunnel called the spinal canal.
Watch Cervical Spinal Cord Anatomy Animation
- Supporting the head and its movement. The cervical spine handles a heavy load, as the head weighs on average between 10 and 13 pounds. In addition to supporting the head, the cervical spine allows for the neck’s flexibility and head’s range of motion.
- Facilitating flow of blood to the brain. Small holes (foramina in the transverse processes) in the cervical spine provide a passageway for vertebral arteries to carry blood to the brain. These openings for the blood vessels are present only in the vertebrae of the cervical spine from C1 down to C6 (not in C7 or lower).
With so many critical nerves, blood vessels, and joints in such a relatively small space, the cervical spine is one of the body’s most complicated regions.
Movements of the Cervical Spine
The cervical spine is the most mobile region of the spine. Head and neck motions typically involve one or more of the following movements of the cervical spine:
- Flexion. The cervical spine bends directly forward with the chin tilting down. Neck flexion typically occurs when looking downward or while in forward head posture, such as when sitting with poor posture at a computer.
- Extension. The cervical spine straightens or moves directly backward with the chin tilting up. Neck extension is common when performing overhead work.
- Rotation. The cervical spine and head turn to one side. Neck rotation is particularly useful when trying to look to the side or over the shoulder, such as when backing up a car.
- Lateral flexion. The cervical spine bends to one side with the ear moving toward the shoulder.
Some movements can be performed in combination, such as rotating the neck while also flexing it forward.
The cervical vertebrae, discussed on the next page, play a key role in maintaining the neck’s functions and facilitating its movements.
A lumbosacral spine x-ray is a picture of the small bones (vertebrae) in the lower part of the spine. This area includes the lumbar region and the sacrum, the area that connects the spine to the pelvis.
The test is done in a hospital x-ray department or your health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. You will be asked to lie on the x-ray table in different positions. If the x-ray is being done to diagnose an injury, care will be taken to prevent further injury.
The x-ray machine will be placed over the lower part of your spine. You will be asked to hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the image will not be blurry. In most cases, 3 to 5 pictures are taken.
Tell the provider if you are pregnant. Take off all jewelry.
There is rarely any discomfort when having an x-ray, although the table may be cold.
Often, the provider will treat a person with low back pain for 4 to 8 weeks before ordering an x-ray.
Xr Lumbar Spine Complete With Flexion And Extension
The most common reason for lumbosacral spine x-ray is to look for the cause of low back pain that:
- Occurs after injury
- Is severe
- Does not go away after 4 to 8 weeks
- Is present in an older person
Lumbosacral spine x-rays may show:
- Abnormal curves of the spine
- Abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the lower spine, such as bone spurs and narrowing of the joints between the vertebrae
- Cancer (although cancer often cannot be seen on this type of x-ray)
- Signs of thinning bones (osteoporosis)
- Spondylolisthesis, in which a bone (vertebra) in the lower part of the spine slips out of the proper position onto the bone below it
Though some of these findings may be seen on an x-ray, they are not always the cause of back pain.
Many problems in the spine cannot be diagnosed using a lumbosacral x-ray, including:
- Spinal stenosis - narrowing of the spinal column
There is low radiation exposure. X-ray machines are checked often to make sure they are as safe as possible. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.
Pregnant women should not be exposed to radiation, if at all possible. Care should be taken before children receive x-rays.
There are some back problems that an x-ray will not find. That is because they involve the muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues. A lumbosacral spine CT or lumbosacral spine MRI are better options for soft tissue problems.
Xr L Spine Complete
Bearcroft PWP, Hopper MA. Imaging techniques and fundamental observations for the musculoskeletal system. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 6th ed. New York, NY: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2015:chap 45.
Contreras F, Perez J, Jose J. Imaging overview. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR. eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 7.
Rx Lumbar Spine Complete Cpt
Parizel PM, Van Thielen T, van den Hauwe L, Van Goethem JW. Degenerative disease of the spine. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 6th ed. New York, NY: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2015:chap 55.
Warner WC, Sawyer JR. Scoliosis and kyphosis. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, Canale ST, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 44.
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.