What does the C7 nerve control?

What does the C7 nerve control?

C7 helps control the triceps (the large muscle on the back of the arm that straightens the elbow) and wrist extensor muscles. The C7 dermatome goes down the back of the arm and into the middle finger. C8 helps control the hands, such as finger flexion (handgrip).

What nerves are affected by C7 T1?

C8 spinal nerve. The C8 spinal nerve exits the spinal cord in between the C7 and T1 vertebrae through a small bony opening called the intervertebral foramen. This nerve has a sensory root and a motor root.

Why does my C7 vertebrae hurt?

Injury to the vertebrae and/or intervertebral disc at the C6-C7 level is a common source of C7 radicular nerve pain. In rare cases when the C7 vertebra forms a cervical rib, compression of surrounding blood vessels and/or nerves may occur, resulting in thoracic outlet syndrome.

What does a pinched thoracic nerve feel like?

Individuals with a thoracic pinched nerve often experience some of the following symptoms: Pain in the middle of the back. Pain that radiates to the front of the chest or shoulder. Numbness or tingling that extends from the back into the upper chest.

Why does my C7 vertebrae stick out?

The vertebra located at the base of your neck, the cervical C7 vertebrae is also called the first thoracic vertebrae. It’s the one that feels like it sticks out when you run your hand down the back of your neck. It’s directly associated, when out of alignment, with issues like shoulder and elbow bursitis.

What is special about C7?

The 7th cervical (C7) vertebra is the largest and most inferior vertebra in the neck region. This spinous process can be easily seen and felt at the base of the neck, making it a prominent landmark of the skeleton and giving the C7 the name vertebra prominens.

Can cervical radiculopathy go away?

Cervical radiculopathy is an inflammation of the nerve in the cervical spine from the exit point which is called neuroforamen. Most neck pain does go away after several weeks but there are some neck pain that can persist and may radiate to the arms and shoulders.

Can radiculopathy be cured?

Because cervical and lumbar radiculopathy nerve damage is irreversible, the condition cannot be cured. However, there are many pain management options available to those who suffer from chronic symptoms. Depending on the extent of your pain,…

Should you have surgery for cervical radiculopathy?

When symptoms of cervical radiculopathy persist or worsen despite nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. The primary goal of surgery is to relieve your symptoms by decompressing, or relieving pressure on, the compressed nerves in your neck. Other goals of surgery include: Improving neck pain.

What are symptoms of cervical neck pain?

The most common and obvious symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease are neck pain and a stiff neck. When one of these conditions presses on one or more of the many nerves running through the spinal cord, you also can develop pain, numbness, or weakness radiating down your shoulder, arm, and hand.