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What Does Straightening Of The Spine Of MRI Scan Indicate?

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Posted on Fri, 2 May 2014
Question: A recent MRI of my cervical spine results were Straightening of the spine, flattening of the cervical spinal cord at C3-C4, C4-C5, and C5-C6 due to advanced spinal canal stenosis as a result of degenerative changes due to arthritis. Advanced foramina narrowing and multifactorial degenerative change from C3 to C7. I'm not sure what Straightening of the spine indicates and I don't know what the foramina is.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (5 hours later)
Brief Answer: straightening means the spine lost its curve Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic There is normally a curvature to the cervical spine, called cervical lordosis. Straightening of the cervical spine indicates that there is loss of some of this normal curve, the spine is straight. This can most common occur as a result of spasm or contraction of the muscles in the neck. The foramen are openings between two vertebra (bones in the back). Nerves coming off of the spinal cord exit the back through these forminal spaces. If the space is narrowed , in your case due to degenerative changes (arthritic changes) then it can mean that the nerves may become compressed. Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal, this can cause severe pain and may also , in some cases,affect the spinal cord. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Does Straightening Of The Spine Of MRI Scan Indicate?

Brief Answer: straightening means the spine lost its curve Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic There is normally a curvature to the cervical spine, called cervical lordosis. Straightening of the cervical spine indicates that there is loss of some of this normal curve, the spine is straight. This can most common occur as a result of spasm or contraction of the muscles in the neck. The foramen are openings between two vertebra (bones in the back). Nerves coming off of the spinal cord exit the back through these forminal spaces. If the space is narrowed , in your case due to degenerative changes (arthritic changes) then it can mean that the nerves may become compressed. Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal, this can cause severe pain and may also , in some cases,affect the spinal cord. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions