Which description accurately depicts the setup for measuring cervical rotation?

• A. Position: Standing; Stabilize: pelvis to prevent trunk rotation; Fulcrum: center of cranial aspect of head; Stationary Arm: line between the L and R acromion process; Moving Arm: base of nares
• B. Position: Sitting; Stabilize: shoulder to prevent forward movement; Fulcrum: center of the cranial aspect of head; Stationary Arm: line between the L and R acromion process; Moving Arm: base of nares
• C. Position: Sitting; Stabilize: shoulder girdle to prevent thoracic flexion; Fulcrum: center of cranial head; Stationary Arm: line between acromions; Moving Arm: base of nares
• D. Position: Sitting; Stabilize: shoulder to prevent backward movement; Fulcrum: center of cranial aspect of head; Stationary Arm: line between acromions; Moving Arm: base of nares

Answer: (B)

To measure cervical rotation accurately, you want the movement to come from the neck and not the trunk. Have the person sit with a stable trunk, and stabilize the shoulder girdle so the thorax can’t rotate or translate as the head turns. Place the goniometer’s axis at the center of the head (cranial aspect). Align the stationary arm along a line between the two acromion processes so the reference stays with the shoulders, and direct the moving arm toward the base of the nares (nostrils) to capture rotation of the head relative to the trunk. This setup minimizes compensatory trunk motion and gives a true cervical rotation reading.