cervical nerve
Definition
- Noun:
- Any of the eight pairs of spinal nerves originating from the cervical region of the spinal cord: A "cervical nerve" is one of the eight paired nerves that branch off from the spinal cord in the neck (cervical) area. These nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system and are responsible for transmitting motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the brain/spinal cord and the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Damage to a cervical nerve can cause pain and numbness in the arm.
- The surgeon carefully avoided the cervical nerves during the procedure.
- Each cervical nerve innervates a specific area of skin and muscle.
Advanced Usage
- Clinical context: The term is frequently used in medical diagnoses, such as "cervical nerve root compression" or "cervical nerve impingement," to describe conditions where these nerves are pinched or irritated.
- The MRI showed evidence of cervical nerve compression at the C6-C7 level.
Variants and Related Words
- Cervical plexus (n): A network of cervical nerves (specifically the anterior rami of the upper four cervical nerves) that supplies the skin and muscles of the neck and shoulder.
- Cervical radiculopathy (n): A medical condition resulting from dysfunction of a cervical nerve root, often causing pain and weakness.
Synonyms
- Spinal nerve (cervical): A more general term specifying the cervical region.
- Nerve root (cervical): Often used to refer to the initial segment of the nerve as it exits the spinal cord.
Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)
- Cervical vertebra (n): The bones of the spinal column in the neck, between which the cervical nerves exit.
- Brachial plexus (n): A major network of nerves originating from the lower cervical nerves (C5-T1) that supplies the upper limb.
Noun
-
any of eight pairs of spinal nerves emerging from the cervical section of the spinal cord
