Impairment in Anteflexion of the Head

Abstract

Impairment in the anteflexion of the head has three possible causes. The most common is reflex contraction of the muscles of the neck, owing to a disease of the meninges called cervical rigidity. The meninges have a very rich innervation by sensory nerves, and any traction of the meninges by anteflexion of the head may cause severe pain. Consequently, reflex contraction of the neck muscles counteracts anteflexion, and sometimes maintains the head in a retracted position. A similar mechanism is at work in space-occupying lesions of the posterior fossa. Muscular rigidity may be strong enough to prevent not only active, but also passive head movements.