What is inside the neck

The neck contains the top end of the spinal column or spine, which supports the head and also protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the main nerve which runs from the brain, through the neck and down the back, and connects with nerves to the rest of the body.

The spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae (singular: vertebra) stacked one on top of another to form a column. The 7 bones in the neck are known as cervical vertebrae. Between the bones are disces of gristle (cartilage) known as interverbral discs. The sides of the bones are linked by facet joints. Many ligaments and muscles are attached to the apine and fan out from the neck to the shoulder blades and back. The muscles control movements of your head. The spine protects the spinal cord from outside damage while still allowing you to move your head in any direction.

At the level of each dics, nerve roots branch out from the spinal cord passing through an opening in the side of the spine. The nerve roots in the neck join to form the nerve trunks that run into the arms. Impulses travel along these nerves, sending sensations such as touch and pain to the brain and massages from the brain to the muscles.

the vertebral artery carries blood from the heart to the brain. It runs inside the bones of the spine and supplies the part of the brain that controls your balance.