Paul Manley Back Pain and RSI Clinic

Anatomy of the neck and ribcage: upper spine problems

The atlas and axis vertebrae

1. Normal shape

2. Atlas displaced to the right.
Likely to cause headaches and acute neck pain.

3. Axis displaced to the right.
Likely to cause an inability to turn the head left - right and acute neck pain.

Click here for Interactive anatomy of this area

The atlas and axis vertebrae and first and second ribs

1. Normal shape

2. Axis displaced to the right.
Likely to cause inability to turn the head to each side

3. First and second ribs displaced upwards on the right.
Likely to cause pain in the shoulder and up the neck as well as pins and needles and transient numbness in the right arm and hand

Click here for Interactive anatomy of this area

Mid ribcage rib displacement

1. Normal shape

2. Mid-dorsal ribs displaced upwards.
Likely to cause pain around the ribcage as well as pain where the ribs are closest to each other.

Click here for Interactive anatomy of this area