Neck Lateral Bending Passive

Starting Position



Head level, looking straight ahead.

Ending position



Head inclined toward the shoulder.

Clinical Significance



Normal neck lateral bend is 45. The angle measured is between the vertical axis and the midaxis of the face.

Although the extent of motion is usually best checked with passive motion (to exclude loss of motion due to motor failure), many physicians are reluctant to test head and neck motion passively–it’s too reminiscent of something from pro wrestling (ie, potentially harmful!)

Limitations here could be from generalized arthritis, scoliosis or pain due to cervical nerve root compression.

 Figures



Last Updated on June 27, 2024

🔗 Knowledge Graph & Clinical Correlates

OrthopaedicsOne Living Semantic Network

🩺 Clinical Conditions & Indications

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  • Subaxial cervical trauma 1. High-Yield Summary Subaxial cervical spine trauma encompasses traumatic osseous and disco-ligamentous injuries spanning the third cervical vertebra...
  • Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) 1. High-Yield Summary Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) represents a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of chondrodysplasias characterized by impaired...

🔬 Anatomy, Pathology & Diagnostics

🕸️ Semantic Relations (RDF)