C5 Vertebra

Description

Positioned in the mid-cervical spine, the C5 vertebra is shown with its vertebral body anterior and its bifid spinous process projecting posteriorly from the junction of the laminae. Lateral to the vertebral foramen, the pedicles and superior and inferior articular processes outline the zygapophysial joints, while the transverse processes extend laterally and include the transverse foramina (foramina transversaria) characteristic of typical cervical vertebrae. The vertebral foramen sits centrally within the vertebral arch, forming the osseous boundary for the spinal canal. Clear bony landmarks. C5 is a common reference level in both clinical neurology and spine surgery because it sits near the apex of normal cervical lordosis and contributes to the C4-C5 and C5-C6 motion segments, frequent sites of cervical spondylosis and disc herniation. Foraminal narrowing at these levels can irritate the C5 nerve root and produce deltoid and biceps weakness with lateral upper arm sensory symptoms, while osteophytes and posterior element hypertrophy can encroach on the spinal canal and contribute to cervical myelopathy. The transverse foramen also matters, since the vertebral artery typically ascends through C6 to C1, and variant entry at C5 is a known surgical hazard during anterior cervical exposure. Use this illustration for gross anatomy teaching of a typical cervical vertebra, for correlating surface and radiographic landmarks in chiropractic, physical therapy, and orthopaedic curricula, or for figure support in discussions of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) planning at C4-C5 and C5-C6. It also fits well in patient-facing materials that explain cervical radiculopathy using accurate bony anatomy rather than schematic cartoons. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.