[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) › C7 nerve root [Nervous system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/nervous-system/) · [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) # C7 nerve root The C7 nerve root leaves the [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) at C6-C7; it powers the triceps and wrist flexors and gives feeling to the middle finger. Official name: C7 [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=spine&select=c7_root&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The C7 nerve root, leaving the spine at C6-C7, the most commonly pinched neck root. ## What it does Supplies the triceps and wrist flexors, the triceps reflex, and feeling in the middle finger. ## Key points - ISNCSCI key muscle: elbow extensors (triceps); key sensory point: back of the middle finger over the proximal phalanx - Typical picture: pain from the neck and inner shoulder blade down the back of the arm to the middle finger, a weak triceps and a reduced triceps reflex - C7 alone forms the middle trunk of the brachial plexus ## Key facts **Roots** C7 dorsal and ventral roots; exits the C6–C7 intervertebral foramen; most often compressed cervical root (C6–C7 disc) **Moves** Triceps, wrist flexors, finger extensors; triceps reflex (C7; some texts: C7–C8) **Feeling from** Middle finger (varies: index and ring sides) ## Relations **Course** Leaves the C6–C7 foramen behind the [vertebral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-artery/) and continues on its own as the middle trunk of the [brachial plexus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/roots-of-brachial-plexus/), between the [scalenes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scalenus-anterior-muscle/) **In front** The [C6–C7 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c6-c7/) and uncovertebral joint **Behind** The C6–C7 facet joint ## How to find it It cannot be felt. It leaves through the C6–C7 foramen; on ultrasound the C7 transverse process has a posterior tubercle but little or no anterior one, which tells it from C6, and the vertebral artery is seen just in front of it before entering the C6 foramen. ## Examination - Resisted elbow extension (ISNCSCI C7 key muscle); slight weakness shows better when the person pushes up from a chair or does push-ups - Triceps reflex, tapping the tendon above the olecranon with the arm hanging relaxed - Pinprick on the back of the middle finger's proximal phalanx (C7 key point) ## On imaging Leaves through the C6–C7 foramen; axial MRI at that level shows a disc or spur pressing on it, and CT myelography replaces MRI if needed. On ultrasound the C7 transverse process has only a posterior tubercle, with the vertebral artery just in front of the root; this tells C7 from C6 when scanning down the neck. Radiographs show narrowing and spurs at C6–C7. ## Common problems - Cervical radiculopathy: a disc or bone spur pinches a root, causing pain, numbness or weakness down the arm in that root's pattern. ## How it is diagnosed Exam of strength, reflexes and feeling in the arm (each root has its own pattern); MRI; sometimes nerve tests (EMG). ## Treatment - Most improve with time, physical therapy, medicine and sometimes an injection. - Lasting pain or weakness: surgery to free the root, such as ACDF or a foraminotomy. ## Clinical notes - C7 vs [radial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/radial-nerve/): a spiral-groove radial palsy gives wrist and finger drop but usually spares triceps, wrist flexion and forearm pronation; C7 weakens triceps, wrist flexion and pronation together - Pain over the inner border of the shoulder blade often comes before the arm symptoms of C7 radiculopathy - In severe brachial plexus avulsion, the healthy side's C7 root can be transferred across to restore some function (contralateral C7 transfer) ## Related conditions - [Cervical radiculopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cervical-radiculopathy/) - [Cervical Spondylosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cervical-spondylosis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which disc herniation compresses the C7 nerve root, the most often affected cervical root? A C6–C7 disc herniation; the C7 root exits through the C6–C7 foramen. ## What are the ISNCSCI key muscle and key sensory point for the C7 nerve root? Key muscle: elbow extensors (triceps). Key sensory point: back of the middle finger over the proximal phalanx. ## Which reflex is reduced in a C7 radiculopathy? The triceps reflex, along with a weak triceps and pain down the back of the arm to the middle finger. ## How is a C7 radiculopathy told apart from a radial nerve palsy at the spiral groove? C7 weakens triceps, wrist flexion and pronation together; a spiral-groove radial palsy gives wrist and finger drop but usually spares all three. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/c7/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** radix nervi spinalis C7 TA2 6363 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Raíz C7 DeCS D013126 **English (TA2)** C7 **Also called** spinal nerves C1-C8 ## Related - [C6–C7 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c6-c7/) - [Neck nerve roots](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-root-of-spinal-nerve/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=13510&filter=ths_termall&q=Ra%C3%ADces%20Nerviosas%20Espinales); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Cervical Nerves](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538136/); [Anatomy, Skin, Dermatomes](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535401/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c7/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c7/