How does the skull attach, exactly? Is it, you know, pretty secure?
And why would that joint suddenly start clicking whenever I move my head?
Seriously.
I’m sure our docs will come soon and bring better info, but in general it’s the same stuff which keeps any other joint together: mainly the muscles (with some help from the skin). Bunch of explanations on the muscles of the skull and neck here.
We speak of the “musculoskeletal system”; the muscles move the bones here and there, but also keep them together.
There are two special vertebrae at the top of the spine that form the joint with the skull. The atlas is ringlike and holds up the skull. It allows flexion (up and down nodding of the head). The axis, below it, has a projection that essentially forms a ball-and-socket type joint and allows rotation of the head (movement from side to side). Much more here. Like the knuckles, the craniospinal joint is a synovial joint, containing lubricating fluid, and so can be “cracked” like the knuckles.
Superb site/cite. Thanks.
I’ve been hearing sounds in the joint when I move my head for a couple of years, although I’d describe it as crunching rather than clicking. When I described it to my doctor he said it’s a typical sign of bone degeneration in the spine. He recommended I see a posture specialist to help minimize the progress of the degeneration.
‘Posture specialist’. Huh. Is that a medical doctor?
Amazing how specialized medicine has become.
Yes, that is a terrific cite. Thanks!
Around here, they are not medical doctors, but are degreed, certified practiciioners called biokineticists. I understand this is one field where it varies widely worldwide, though.