Relating to the neck region, particularly the seven cervical vertebrae (C1-C7) that support the head and allow neck movement. Can also refer to the cervix of the uterus in gynecological contexts.
From Latin 'cervix' meaning neck, from 'cervus' meaning deer (referring to the neck-like appearance). The dual anatomical usage developed as physicians applied the term to neck-like structures throughout the body.
Your cervical spine is incredibly mobile - it can rotate 180 degrees and tilt 90 degrees! But this flexibility comes at a cost: cervical vertebrae are smaller and more vulnerable to injury, which is why whiplash is so common in car accidents.
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