How should cervical extension present?

How should cervical extension present?

• A. Spinous processes should approximate
• B. Spinous processes should separate
• C. Spinous processes should rotate
• D. Spinous processes should distract

Answer: (A)

In cervical extension, the posterior elements of the spine come closer together. As the neck extends (head tilts back), the vertebral arches move so that the spinous processes approximate—that is, they feel closer to one another along the midline. This provides a reliable palpation cue: you should notice the spinous processes drawing nearer during extension. This contrasts with flexion, where the spinous processes separate as the back of the neck rounds forward. Rotation involves turning the neck and is not defined by a simple, uniform approximation of the spinous processes. Distracting the spinous processes is not the expected sign of extension.

In cervical extension, the posterior elements of the spine come closer together. As the neck extends (head tilts back), the vertebral arches move so that the spinous processes approximate—that is, they feel closer to one another along the midline. This provides a reliable palpation cue: you should notice the spinous processes drawing nearer during extension.

This contrasts with flexion, where the spinous processes separate as the back of the neck rounds forward. Rotation involves turning the neck and is not defined by a simple, uniform approximation of the spinous processes. Distracting the spinous processes is not the expected sign of extension.