Fifth cervical vertebra: anatomy, location and function

Also called

C5

What it is

The fifth of the seven cervical (neck) vertebrae, labelled C5.

Location

Lies in the lower-middle cervical spine between C4 and C6.

Function

Supports the head and allows neck movement, while its vertebral foramen protects the spinal cord and its transverse foramen carries the vertebral artery.

Body system

Skeletal · single, midline structure

FMA ID

FMA12523 (Foundational Model of Anatomy)

Key facts

• Typical cervical vertebra; its spinous process is short and usually bifid.
• The C5-C6 level is among the most common sites of cervical disc degeneration.
• Cervical spinal nerves exit above the vertebra of the same number, so the C5 nerve leaves between C4 and C5, and C6 leaves below it.

Clinical relevance

Together with C6, it is a common site of cervical spondylosis and nerve root compression.

The nearest named structures in the 3D model, measured from the centre of each part:

• Fourth cervical vertebra · skeletal
• Sixth cervical vertebra · skeletal
• Cervical rotator · muscular
• Intervertebral disk of fourth cervical vertebra · skeletal
• Vertical intermediate part of longus colli · muscular
• Posterior cervical intertransversarii · muscular
• Intervertebral disk of fifth cervical vertebra · skeletal
• Anterior cervical intertransversarii · muscular
• Third cervical vertebra · skeletal
• Seventh cervical vertebra · skeletal