The distention of the stomach causes abdominal discomfort, and the belching expels the air and relieves the discomfort. The common reasons for swallowing large amounts of air (aerophagia) are gulping food or drink too rapidly, anxiety, and carbonated beverages. People are often unaware that they are swallowing air.
For the engineering project, see Indiana Central Canal. The central canal, also known as ependymal canal, is the cerebrospinal fluid-filled space that runs longitudinally through the length of the entire spinal cord. The central canal is continuous with the ventricular system of the brain. The fourth ventricle narrows at a region called the obex to become the central canal of the spinal cord. The central canal represents the adult remainder of the central cavity of the neural tube. It generally occludes (closes off) with age.
Cervical stenosis develops when either the spinal canal or nerve passageways (foramen) become narrow. It is a common cause of neck pain. If the spinal canal is narrowed, the disorder is also termed cervical central stenosis. If the foramen, or the lateral (side) corners of the spinal canal, is narrowed, it is called cervical foraminal stenosis. When either condition develops, the spinal cord and/or nerves are compressed.