Massage Therapy and Anatomy – Cervical Vertebrae C1 & C2

Question of May 5th

Q: If the thoracic and sacral curves are considered primary, what spinal curves are considered secondary? What is a factor in the development of secondary spinal curves?

Answer: The cervical and lumbar lordotic curves are considered secondary. Weight bearing is the main factor in development of these curves – the cervical lordotic curve will develop first as a baby starts to move his or her head; the lumbar lordosis will develop when he or she learns to sit up and starts to bear weight.

Question of the Day
The C1 and C2 vertebrae are considered “atypical”. Why is this, and explain how the 2 vertebrae relate to each other.