The seven vertebrae of the neck, the most mobile in the spine, supporting the head
Cervical vertebrae — C1 to C7.
Anatomy · Bones
Cervical vertebra
Seven vertebrae, C1 to C7
Spine · neck
The seven cervical vertebrae, C1 to C7, form the skeleton of the neck between the skull and the thoracic spine. They are the smallest and most mobile vertebrae, with small bodies, triangular vertebral foramina, bifid spinous processes and a hole (the transverse foramen) in each transverse process for the vertebral artery. The first two, the atlas and axis, are specially modified.
How to spot them
- ▸Small vertebral body with a large, triangular vertebral foramen
- ▸A transverse foramen in each transverse process, for the vertebral artery and vein
- ▸A short spinous process that forks into two at the tip (bifid), except for C1 and C7
- ▸C1 and C2 are unique; C7 has a long spinous process that can be felt at the base of the neck
What to know
Vertebrae with a hole in each transverse process, through which the artery supplying the back of the brain ascends
Cervical vertebrae — the transverse foramina transmit the vertebral artery, vein and sympathetic nerves.
Spinous processes here often split into two at the tip, unlike those elsewhere in the spine
Cervical vertebrae — the bifid spinous process (except C1 and C7).
In the neck, the seventh vertebra has a long, prominent spine, the vertebra prominens, easily felt at its base
Cervical vertebrae — C7.
In the neck, the artery to the back of the brain runs through a hole in the side of each vertebra except the seventh, past which it passes
Cervical vertebrae — the exception is C7.
Eight pairs of spinal nerves emerge from the neck region, though it has only seven of these vertebrae
Cervical vertebrae — C1 to C7 nerves exit above their vertebrae, and C8 exits below C7.
Almost all mammals, from mouse to giraffe, have exactly seven of them
Cervical vertebrae — seven regardless of neck length (sloths and manatees are exceptions).
Key ideas
- The cervical spine has three characteristic features: a triangular vertebral foramen, a bifid spinous process and transverse foramina.
- Because they carry the least weight of any region, the cervical bodies are small.
Quick-fire facts
- •Seven cervical vertebrae in humans, and in almost all mammals regardless of body size
- •The vertebral artery passes through the transverse foramen of C1 to C6, not C7
- •The spinous process of C7 is long and may not be bifid; it is the vertebra prominens
- •Sloths and manatees are exceptions to the rule of seven
- •The cervical curve is a secondary curve, developing as an infant lifts its head
- •Whiplash is a hyperextension injury damaging the anterior longitudinal ligament and sometimes the vertebrae
- •The nuchal ligament, a continuation of the supraspinous ligament, attaches to the spinous processes of C1 to C7
- •Eight cervical spinal nerves (C1 to C8) come from seven vertebrae
Drill it — 8 cards
1 / 8new card
Sources
- TeachMeAnatomy — The Cervical Spine
- OpenStax — Anatomy and Physiology 2e, 7.3 The Vertebral Column