The cervical vertebrae at the top portion of the spine are crucial for supporting the head and connecting to the nervous system. Injuries to vertebrae C3-C7 can be serious, particularly in children whose spinal columns are more elastic than those of adults. These vertebrae are part of the broader vertebral classification, which includes the cervical (C1–C7), thoracic (T1–T12), and lumbar (L1–L5) regions. The spinal column features both primary (thoracic and sacrococcygeal) and secondary (cervical and lumbar) curvatures.
When it comes to spinal injuries, full recovery from cervical decompression surgery, a procedure to relieve nerve compression in the cervical spine, can average five weeks. Finding a specialized spine care professional is essential for proper treatment. Cervical vertebrae C3 through C7 are considered typical, each with a vertebral body and interconnected with intervertebral disks to absorb and distribute forces. However, these vertebrae can be affected by cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM or CVM), which is a developmental defect causing narrowing of the spinal spaces, leading to spinal cord compression.
Regarding respiratory functions, injuries at the C3 or C4 level may retain some diaphragm function and the potential to wean from ventilatory support. For injuries at C5 and below, patients are usually able to breathe without assistance, though ventilatory support is often required acutely.
Typical cervical vertebrae (C3-C6) are characterized by smaller bodies, larger triangular-shaped vertebral foramina, shorter bifurcated spinous processes, differing from thoracic vertebrae. Cervical vertebrae generally have a bifid (Y-shaped) spinous process, with C7’s spine being notably longer and palpable at the neck’s base.
Spine disorders such as herniated discs occur when part of the disc bulges through an abnormal opening between the vertebrae. The vertebral column, consisting of 33 vertebrae, provides the body’s main support structure.
To understand these conditions better, various resources are available:
Lower Cervical Spine Injuries C3-C7,
The Vertebral Column,
Cervical Decompression Surgery,
Cervical Anatomy,
Cervical Vertebral Compressive Myelopathy (CVCM),
Guidelines for Spinal Cord Injury and Respiratory Management,
The Back and Vertebral Canal, and
Herniated Disc Conditions.
Understanding the structure and potential injuries of the cervical vertebrae is vital for diagnosis and treatment. The prominent C7 spine can be located by running a finger down the midline of the posterior neck until encountering the noticeable protrusion at the neck’s base.
