Seven cervical vertebrae, labeled C1 to C7, type the cervical spine from the bottom of the skull down to the top of the shoulders. At every degree, the cervical vertebrae protect the spinal cord and work with muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints to provide a combination of help, structure, and flexibility to the neck.
The cervical vertebrae (C1 to C7) protect the spinal cord and supply structure to the neck. Watch: Cervical Vertebrae Anatomy Animation
There are some variations among the many cervical vertebrae. The vertebrae at the top of the neck are typically smaller and extra mobile whereas the lower cervical vertebrae are bigger to handle higher loads from the neck and head above.
Watch: Cervical Spine Anatomy Video
Typical Vertebrae: C3, C4, C5, and C6
Cervical vertebrae C3 by C6 are generally known as typical vertebrae as a result of they share the identical basic characteristics with many of the vertebrae throughout the remainder of the spine. Typical vertebrae have:
Vertebral physique. This thick bone is cylindrical-formed and located on the entrance of the vertebra. The vertebral body carries most of the load for a vertebra. At most levels of the spine, an intervertebral disc sits between 2 vertebral bodies to supply cushioning and help absorb the shock of everyday movements. Vertebral arch. This bony arch wraps across the spinal cord toward the back of the spine and consists of 2 pedicles and a pair of laminae. The pedicles join with the vertebral physique within the front, and the laminae transition into the spinous process (a bony hump) in the again of the vertebra. Side joints. Every vertebra has a pair of side joints, also referred to as zygapophysial joints. These joints, situated between the pedicle and lamina on every aspect of the vertebral arch, are lined with clean cartilage to enable limited movement between 2 vertebrae. Spinal degeneration or damage to the aspect joints are amongst the most typical causes of chronic neck ache.
C3, C4, C5, and C6 cervical vertebrae share traits with most of the vertebrae throughout the spine..
See All Concerning the C2-C5 Spinal Movement Segments
Watch Spinal Motion Phase: C2-C5 Animation
The small ranges of movement between the 2 vertebrae can add up to vital ranges of motion for your entire cervical spine in terms of rotation, forward/backward, and aspect bending.
See C2-C5 Remedy
Atypical Vertebrae: C1 and C2
C1 and C2 are thought-about atypical vertebrae because they've some distinguishing features compared to the remainder of the cervical spine.
The 2 vertebrae just below the skull are C1 (the atlas) and C2 (the axis). The joint above C1 (atlanto-occipital joint) allows the head to maneuver forward and backward, while the joint beneath C1 (atlanto-axial joint) permits the top to rotate.
C1 Vertebra (the atlas). The highest vertebra, known as the atlas, is the one cervical vertebra with no vertebral body. Instead, it is shaped more like a ring. The atlas connects to the occipital bone above to support the base of the skull and kind the atlanto-occipital joint. More of the head’s ahead/backward range of motion happens at this joint compared to any other spinal joint.1,2 C2 Vertebra (the axis). The second vertebra, called the axis, has a big bony protrusion (the odontoid process) that factors up from its vertebral body and matches into the ring-shaped atlas above it.
飯田橋 整体 is ready to rotate across the axis, forming the atlantoaxial joint. More rotational vary of motion occurs at this joint in comparison with every other, with some estimates being that just about half of the head’s rotation happens at this joint.1,2
See The C1-C2 Vertebrae and Spinal Segment
Watch The C1-C2 Vertebrae and Spinal Segment
While C1 and C2 are the smallest of the cervical vertebrae, in addition they are the most cellular.
See C1-C2 Remedy
- Cervical Spine Anatomy - Cervical Vertebrae - Neck Muscles and Different Delicate Tissues - Cervical Discs - Cervical Spinal Nerves - Spinal Cord Anatomy within the Neck - Cervical Spine Anatomy Video - Cervical Vertebrae Anatomy Animation - Cervical Muscle Anatomy Animation - Cervical Nerve Anatomy Animation - Cervical Spinal Cord Anatomy Animation
Distinctive Vertebra: C7
The seventh cervical vertebra, additionally referred to as the vertebra prominens, is commonly considered a singular vertebra and has probably the most outstanding spinous course of. When feeling the back of the neck, the C7 vertebra’s spinous course of (bony hump) sticks out greater than the other cervical vertebrae.
Watch Spinal Motion Phase: C7-T1 (Cervicothoracic Junction) Animation
The C7-T1 spinal section, additionally known as the cervicothoracic junction, connects the cervical spine within the neck to the thoracic spine in the higher back. Learn: All About the C7-T1 Spinal Phase (Cervicothoracic Junction)
C7 is the underside of the cervical spine and connects with the highest of the thoracic spine, T1, to type the cervicothoracic junction-additionally referred to as C7-T1. Not only is C7’s spinous course of considerably larger than those of the vertebrae above, additionally it is a unique form to higher match with T1 beneath. C7 additionally lacks holes (foramina in its transverse processes) for vertebral arteries to move, that are present in all of the other cervical vertebrae.
Resulting from its bigger size and key location on the cervicothoracic junction, extra muscles connect with C7’s spinous course of in comparison with different cervical vertebrae.
Uncovertebral Joints
The uncovertebral joints, additionally called Luschka’s joints, are discovered between vertebral segments from C3 down to C7. These joints are comprised of two uncinate processes-one rising from the top of every side of the vertebral body-that slot in indentations in the vertebral body above. They assist with the neck’s ahead and backward movements whereas additionally limiting the bending to both facet.
Compared to the aspect joints, the uncovertebral joints are comparatively small and never current at birth. The uncovertebral joints sometimes develop by age 10.2 The uncovertebral joints are additionally a standard location for bone spurs (osteophytes) to develop as the spine ages, which can ultimately compress a nearby spinal nerve.
See Cervical Osteophytes: Bone Spurs in the Neck
While the vertebrae provide the neck with stability and protection, these bones are held collectively and supported by mushy tissues as discussed on the subsequent page.
1.Heinking KP, Kappler RE. Cervical region. In: Chila A, ed. Foundations of Osteopathic Medication. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkens. 2010: 513-527.
2.Hartman J. Anatomy and clinical significance of the uncinate process and uncovertebral joint: A complete evaluate. Clinical Anatomy.