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AnatomyNeuroanatomySpinal cordCervical enlargement
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AnatomyNeuroanatomySpinal cordCervical enlargement

Cervical enlargement

Author: Christina Loukopoulou, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 19, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Vertebral column and spinal nerves [15:17]
A lateral view of the vertebral column, spinal cord and spinal nerves.
Cervical enlargement
Intumescentia cervicalis
Synonyms: none

The cervical enlargement corresponds to one of the two symmetrical swellings in the spinal cord spanning from vertebral levels C3 to T1.

It is the source of the anterior rami of spinal nerves contributing to the brachial plexus to innervate the upper limbs. More specifically, this enlargement results from the increased volume of motor neuron cells in the ventral horns of the grey matter. 

The lumbar enlargement is the other spinal cord expansion and is associated with the lumbar plexus which supplies the lower limbs.

Terminology English: Cervical enlargement

Latin: Intumescentia cervicalis
Definition The cervical enlargement is a swelling in the spinal cord spanning from vertebral levels C3 to T1.

Learn more about the anatomy of the spinal cord in the following study unit:

Spinal nerves Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Crossman, A.R., Neary, D. (2014). Neuroanatomy: An Illustrated Colour Text (5th ed.). Manchester, MCR: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F. and Agur, A. (2017). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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