C5 — fifth cervical vertebra (Vertebra cervicalis quinta)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
C5, the fifth of seven cervical vertebrae: a small saddle-like body, a large vertebral foramen, and a transverse process perforated by the vertebral artery. Its canal is relatively roomy, cushioning cord oedema; the C5–C6 disc below is among the most frequently herniated in the neck.
Clinical notes
Disc herniation at C5–C6 compresses the C6 nerve root, causing arm pain in a characteristic dermatome and weakness pattern.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the C5 — fifth cervical vertebra?
C5, the fifth of seven cervical vertebrae: a small saddle-like body, a large vertebral foramen, and a transverse process perforated by the vertebral artery. Its canal is relatively roomy, cushioning cord oedema; the C5–C6 disc below is among the most frequently herniated in the neck.
Why is the C5 — fifth cervical vertebra clinically important?
Disc herniation at C5–C6 compresses the C6 nerve root, causing arm pain in a characteristic dermatome and weakness pattern.
Source & license
Derived from Z-Anatomy (Gauthier Kervyn et al.), CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/); upstream geometry from BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science. license details