[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/) › C3 vertebra [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) # C3 vertebra C3 is the third neck (cervical) vertebra; with the others it holds up the head, protects the spinal cord and lets the neck move. Official name: C3 [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=spine&select=c3&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The C3 neck vertebra: a small body in front, a ring behind for the spinal cord, and holes on each side for the vertebral artery. ## What it does Stacks with the other neck vertebrae to hold up the head, protect the spinal cord and let the neck bend and turn. ## Key points - First typical cervical vertebra (C3–C6): uncinate processes on the upper edges of the body form the uncovertebral joints, whose spurs narrow the foramen behind them - In the neck each root leaves above the vertebra with the same number: the C3 nerve exits above C3 and the C4 nerve below it - Cord injury at or above this level threatens the [phrenic nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/phrenic-nerve/) output (C3–C5) to the [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/) and often means dependence on a ventilator ## Key facts **Joints with** C2 above and C4 below (intervertebral discs, facet joints and uncovertebral joints) **Landmarks** Small wide body with uncinate processes; transverse foramina (vertebral artery); short bifid spinous process; level of [hyoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hyoid-bone/) ## Relations **In front** [Longus colli](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/longus-colli-muscle/) and [longus capitis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/longus-capitis-muscle/), the prevertebral fascia and the retropharyngeal space, then the [pharynx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pharynx/) **Lateral** [Vertebral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-artery/) and [vertebral vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-vein/) in the transverse foramina; the C4 root runs out in the gutter of the transverse process behind the artery; [scalenes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scalenus-anterior-muscle/) and [levator scapulae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/levator-scapulae/) attach to the tubercles **Behind** Short bifid spinous process under the [nuchal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/nuchal-ligament/), with [semispinalis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/semispinalis-muscles/), [multifidus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/multifidus-muscles/) and [splenius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/splenius-capitis-muscle/) layered over the laminae **Contents** [Spinal cord](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spinal-cord/) at roughly the C4 segment: cervical cord segments sit about one level above the vertebra with the same number ## How to find it With the neck slightly flexed, the C2 spinous process is found below the occiput; C3 lies just below it, but its [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) is short and set deep in the cervical curve, so it is often hard to feel. In front, the level matches the hyoid bone, felt above the [thyroid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-cartilage/). ## On imaging Lateral X-ray: the soft tissue in front of C2–C4 is normally thin (commonly quoted under about 7 mm in adults); a thicker shadow suggests a hematoma from a hidden fracture or a retropharyngeal abscess. Oblique views or CT show foramina narrowed by uncovertebral spurs. ## Common problems - Wear and bone spurs (cervical spondylosis), most often at [C5-C6](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c5-c6/) and [C6-C7](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c6-c7/). - Spurs or a disc can narrow the canal (pressing the cord) or a side opening (pinching a nerve root). - Fractures from falls, car accidents or diving. ## How it is diagnosed X-rays show alignment and spurs. MRI shows discs, nerves and the spinal cord. CT shows bone detail. ## Treatment - Most neck pain settles with time, activity changes, physical therapy and pain medicine. - Surgery if a nerve or the cord is pressed and symptoms are severe or getting worse, for example ACDF. ## Clinical notes - Retropharyngeal abscess in young children spreads in the space in front of these vertebrae and widens the prevertebral shadow - Injuries of the subaxial spine (C3–C7) are scored by fracture shape, the state of the disc and ligaments, and neurology (SLIC system) - Injury of the C3–C5 segments can paralyse the diaphragm on one or both sides; a raised hemidiaphragm on the [chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) film is the clue - The superior cervical sympathetic ganglion lies on the longus capitis in front of the upper cervical transverse processes (about C2–C3); stretching or cutting it during a high anterior exposure can leave Horner syndrome on that side ## Development Each typical cervical vertebra ossifies from three primary centres (body and each half of the arch). Failure of segmentation gives block vertebrae; C2–C3 is a frequent site in Klippel–Feil syndrome (short neck, low hairline, limited movement). ## Memory aid "C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive": the phrenic nerve roots. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which joints do the uncinate processes of the C3 vertebra form, and why do they matter clinically? The uncovertebral joints; their spurs narrow the intervertebral foramen behind them. ## Which spinal nerve exits above the C3 vertebra? The C3 nerve: in the neck each root leaves above the vertebra with the same number, so the C4 nerve exits below C3. ## Why can a spinal cord injury at or above the C3 vertebra leave a patient dependent on a ventilator? It threatens the phrenic nerve output from C3–C5 to the diaphragm («C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive»). ## Which anterior neck landmark lies at the level of the C3 vertebra? The hyoid bone, felt above the thyroid cartilage. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/cervical-vertebrae/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** vertebra cervicalis III TA2 1032 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Vértebra cervical C3 DeCS D002574 **English (TA2)** C3 ## Related - [C2–C3 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c2-c3/) - [C3–C4 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/c3-c4/) - [Vertebral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-artery/) - [Anterior longitudinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-longitudinal-ligament/) - [Endplates](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-endplates/) - [Neck facet joints](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/zygapophysial-joints/) - [Interspinales](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/interspinales-muscles/) - [Interspinous ligaments](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/interspinous-ligaments/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=2614&filter=ths_termall&q=V%C3%A9rtebras%20Cervicales); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Cervical Vertebrae](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539734/); [Anatomy, Back, Cervical Vertebrae](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459200/). ## **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/cervical-vertebrae/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cervical-vertebrae/