Cervicogenic Headache: Anatomic Basis
and Pathophysiologic Mechanisms

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Curr Pain Headache Rep 2001 (Aug); 5 (4): 382–386

Bogduk N

Newcastle Bone and Joint Institute,
University of Newcastle, Royal Newcastle Hospital,
Newcastle, NSW 2300, Australia.
mgillam@mail.newcastle.edu.au

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Cervicogenic headache is pain perceived in the head but referred from a primary source in the cervical spine. The physiologic basis for this pain is convergence between trigeminal afferents and afferents from the upper three cervical spinal nerves. The possible sources of cervicogenic headache lie in the structures innervated by the C1 to C3 spinal nerves, and include the upper cervical synovial joints, the upper cervical muscles, the C2-3 disc, the vertebral and internal carotid arteries, and the dura mater of the upper spinal cord and posterior cranial fossa. Experiments in normal volunteers have established that the cervical muscles and joints can be sources of headache.

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