What does calcification of the nuchal ligament mean?

Calcification of the nuchal ligament refers to the calcification of the cervical spine. If you touch your neck with your hand, you will find that some parts are hard and there seem to be strips. Calcification of the nuchal ligament will have a great impact on the human body. The movement of the neck will be restricted. In severe cases, it may even cause lesions and ossification, making the lesions irreversible. So, what exactly does calcification of the nuchal ligament mean?

When palpating the back of the neck of a patient with cervical spondylosis, a hard cord-like object can often be felt along the spinous process. If you touch it carefully, you may sometimes find a "peeling" phenomenon, which is the so-called calcification of the nuchal ligament. The nuchal ligament is a strong ligament in the neck. It has a wide base and is tightly attached to the external occipital crest and the external occipital protuberance. Its elastic fibers are triangular in shape, with the tip connected downward to the posterior tubercle of the atlas and the six cervical spinous processes below. Its deep part is continuous with the supraspinous ligament, and its posterior edge is free and thickened, with the trapezius muscle attached. Together with the other ligaments of the cervical spine, it participates in protecting the cervical segment of the spine, maintaining the upright position of the head and neck, and preventing injuries caused by excessive flexion. Traditional Chinese Medicine 24-hour Cervical Spine Maintenance Method Patients with cervical spondylosis have degeneration of the intervertebral disc, vertebral margin and uncovertebral joint.

Long-term excessive load and strain also lead to degeneration of cervical spine ligaments including the nuchal ligament. Under the conditions of vertebral instability and change in cervical curvature, the nuchal ligament fibers may proliferate or harden in the early stage. In the later stage, due to long-term chronic stimulation, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate are continuously deposited in the local area consistent with the diseased vertebra, resulting in calcification and even ossification. Due to the local hardening and calcification of the nuchal ligament, it can directly brake the cervical spine, thereby increasing the stability of the cervical spine, alleviating the symptoms of cervical spondylosis, and slowing down the further development of cervical spondylosis. Therefore, this change can be considered as a product of the human body's natural and instinctive defense mechanism.

Experts from Changchun Orthopedic Hospital explained that calcification of the nuchal ligament does not cause serious symptoms, but it often indicates that there is a lesion in the vertebrae corresponding to the calcification of the nuchal ligament, which is more obvious on X-rays. In addition, calcification of the nuchal ligament in a sense indicates that the other ligaments of the cervical spine may also have varying degrees of hardening or calcification. Once such changes occur in the yellow ligament and posterior longitudinal ligament, their hyperplasia and calcification can easily cause stimulation and compression of the spinal cord and produce more serious consequences.

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