Cervical flexure

Cervical flexure is a term used in anatomy to describe a specific bend or curve in the spinal cord. It is one of the three primary flexures that develop in the human embryo, along with the cephalic flexure and the lumbar flexure. The cervical flexure forms between the rhombencephalon and the spinal cord.

Development

The cervical flexure develops during the embryonic period, which spans from the third to the eighth week of human development. It is formed as the neural tube, the precursor to the central nervous system, undergoes a series of complex folding processes. The cervical flexure is located at the junction of the future pons and spinal cord, and it marks the boundary between the brainstem and the spinal cord.

Function

The cervical flexure does not have a specific function per se, but its formation is a crucial part of the overall development of the central nervous system. It helps to establish the basic structure of the brain and spinal cord, which is necessary for the subsequent development of the various neural structures and neural pathways that make up the central nervous system.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the formation of the cervical flexure can lead to a range of neural tube defects, such as anencephaly and spina bifida. These conditions can have serious consequences, including neurological disorders, physical disabilities, and even death. Therefore, understanding the development of the cervical flexure and other primary flexures is important in prenatal diagnosis and preventive medicine.

See also

• Neural development
• Neural tube
• Spinal cord