Here is a brief overview of each cervical vertebra:
C1 (Atlas):
- The first cervical vertebra, located at the base of the skull.
- It is a ring-shaped bone that allows the head to rotate from side to side.
C2 (Axis):
- The second cervical vertebra, located just below the atlas.
- It has a prominent bony projection called the odontoid process, which fits into the atlas and allows the head to nod up and down.
C3 to C6:
- These four vertebrae are typical cervical vertebrae.
- They have a rectangular-shaped body with two small holes on each side for the passage of nerves and blood vessels.
- They also have bony projections called transverse processes and articular processes, which facilitate movement and articulation with adjacent vertebrae.
C7 (Prominent Vertebra):
- The seventh cervical vertebra, located at the bottom of the neck.
- It is larger than the other cervical vertebrae and has a long spinous process that can be felt at the back of the neck.
The cervical vertebrae work together to provide support and flexibility to the neck, allowing for a wide range of movements, such as nodding, shaking, turning the head, and bending the neck forward and backward.