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A neck x-ray is an imaging test to look at cervical vertebrae, the seven bones in the neck area.

This test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider’s office by an x-ray technologist. You will lie on the x-ray table. If the x-ray is to determine injury, care will be taken to prevent further injury. The x-ray machine will be positioned over the neck area. You will be asked to hold your breath while the picture is taken, so that the picture will not be blurry. You will be asked to changed positions so that additional scans can be taken. Usually three to seven different views are needed.

Tell the health care provider if you are pregnant. Remove all jewelry.

This test does not cause discomfort, but the table may be cold.

The x-ray is used to evaluate neck injuries and persistent numbness, pain, or weakness. A neck x-ray can also be used to help see if air passages are blocked by swelling in the neck or something stuck in the airway.

The test will detect fractures, dislocations, thinning of the bone (osteoporosis), and deformities in the curvature of the spine. The test may also detect bone spurs, disk problems, and wearing away of the vertebrae.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Cervical spondylosis
• Croup syndrome
• Epiglottitis
• Foreign body aspiration

There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray.

Other tests, such as MRI, may be used to look for disk or nerve problems.

X-ray - neck; Cervical spine x-ray; Lateral neck x-ray

Stevens JM, Rich PM, Dixon AK. The spine. In: Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 60.

Roosevelt GE. Acute inflammatory upper airway obstruction (croup, epiglottitis, laryngitis, and bacterial tracheitis). In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 382.

Holinger LD. Foreign bodies of the airway. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 384.

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.