What is the normal range for cervical spine lateral flexion (ear to shoulder)?

What is the normal range for cervical spine lateral flexion (ear to shoulder)?

• A. 0-20°
• B. 0-10°
• C. 0-30°
• D. 0-40°

Answer: (A)

Lateral flexion of the neck, measured as ear toward the shoulder, is the side-bending of the cervical spine. The typical normal range for this specific movement is about 0 to 20 degrees on each side. This reflects the natural limits set by the joints, ligaments, and surrounding muscles that allow the head to tilt toward the shoulder without excessive rotation or spine movement below the neck. So, 0–20 degrees is the range you’d expect to see in a healthy individual for this ear-to-shoulder measure. Larger values like 0–30 or 0–40 might be reported in other ROM assessments or with different measurement methods, but for the standard ear-to-shoulder cervical lateral flexion test, 0–20 degrees is the commonly accepted normal range.

Lateral flexion of the neck, measured as ear toward the shoulder, is the side-bending of the cervical spine. The typical normal range for this specific movement is about 0 to 20 degrees on each side. This reflects the natural limits set by the joints, ligaments, and surrounding muscles that allow the head to tilt toward the shoulder without excessive rotation or spine movement below the neck.

So, 0–20 degrees is the range you’d expect to see in a healthy individual for this ear-to-shoulder measure. Larger values like 0–30 or 0–40 might be reported in other ROM assessments or with different measurement methods, but for the standard ear-to-shoulder cervical lateral flexion test, 0–20 degrees is the commonly accepted normal range.