The sensory function of the neck | Patient Facing Information

The neck is a remarkably dynamic structure made up of bones, muscles, discs, nerves, ligaments, and joints. Seven small bones called vertebrae form the cervical spine, supporting the weight of your head. The joints between these vertebrae allow a wide range of movements, enabling you to nod, turn, and tilt your head in every direction. Between each of these vertebrae are soft discs that function as cushions, absorbing shock and adding flexibility to the spine.

Surrounding these structures are the neck muscles, which play multiple roles. They stabilize your head on top of your body, guide smooth and precise movements, maintain proper posture, protect important nerves and blood vessels, and even assist in breathing. What’s particularly interesting about the neck muscles is that they’re loaded with small sensory organs. These sensory organs help you to precisely sense the position and movements of your head and neck, highlighting the neck’s role as a sensory system.

The neck muscles send information to the brain, where it is processed and combined with visual information from the eyes and balance information from the inner ear. Because the neck muscles, eyes, and balance system are all connected, information from the neck muscles can influence eye movements, balance, and coordination between movements of the eyes, head, and trunk. Disorders like neck pain, whiplash injuries, and concussion can affect these sensory organs, and the sensory signals from your neck muscles can become disrupted. When this happens, you may experience unexpected symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, visual disturbances, or balance difficulties. When these symptoms originate specifically from issues in the neck, they're called cervicogenic symptoms.

Given all these interacting components, maintaining optimal neck health is of vital importance and involves ensuring that each part functions properly. Typically, patients are familiar with clinicians palpating tender or painful areas, measuring range of motion, or assessing neck muscle strength and endurance. However, there are additional assessments that can provide deeper insights into neck function. These assessments often focus on the sensory function of your neck muscles, enabling more targeted treatment planning to potentially enhance your recovery process.