Which movement can the cervical spine perform?

The cervical spine's ability to perform lateral flexion is a key aspect of its range of motion. Lateral flexion refers to the side-to-side bending movement of the neck. This action allows for the head to tilt towards the shoulder, enabling a variety of movements essential for daily activities, such as looking over one's shoulder or reaching for something at the side.

Understanding the anatomy of the cervical spine, particularly the vertebrae and surrounding musculature, reveals that it is highly flexible, allowing for both rotational and lateral movements. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining a wide range of motion and facilitating actions that require head and neck mobility.

Other movements mentioned, such as abduction, adduction, and hypoflexion, do not accurately describe actions that can be performed by the cervical spine. Abduction and adduction are terms more commonly associated with limb movements, particularly at the shoulder or hips, and hypoflexion is not a standard term used to describe movements in the cervical region. Thus, lateral flexion stands out as the correct answer since it specifically refers to a movement that the cervical spine can perform effectively.