Cervical Vertebrae

Joe Muscolino

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    • There are seven cervical vertebrae (singular: vertebra).
      • They are named C1 through C7, from superior to inferior.
    • The cervical vertebrae articulate with each other via paired facet joints and a disc joint.

     

    NOTES:

    1. C1 is also known as the atlas (the atlas has its own glossary post).
    2. C2 is also known as the axis (the axis has its own glossary post).
    3. There is no disc joint between C1 and the occiput above and between C1 and C2 below (because C1 has no body, and disc joints are located between vertebral bodies).

     

    Superior view of the seven cervical vertebrae, C1-C7, from superior to inferior (from top row left to bottom row right).

    Superior view of the seven cervical vertebrae, C1-C7, from superior to inferior (from top row left to bottom row right).

     

    Superior view of C5 ("typical cervical vertebra").

    Superior view of C5 (“typical cervical vertebra”).

     

    Inferior view of C5 ("typical cervical vertebra").

    Inferior view of C5 (“typical cervical vertebra”).

     

    Posterior view of C5 ("typical cervical vertebra").

    Posterior view of C5 (“typical cervical vertebra”).

     

    Anterior view of C5 ("typical cervical vertebra").

    Anterior view of C5 (“typical cervical vertebra”).

     

    Right lateral view of C5 ("typical cervical vertebra").

    Right lateral view of C5 (“typical cervical vertebra”).

     

    Oblique view (superior posterolateral view) of C5 ("typical cervical vertebra").

    Oblique view (superior posterolateral view) of C5 (“typical cervical vertebra”).