Cervical Spine (Neck): What It Is, Anatomy & Disorders (2025)

What is the cervical spine?

Your cervical spine — the neck area of your spine — consists of seven stacked bones called vertebrae. The first two vertebrae of your cervical spine are unique in shape and function. Your first vertebra (C1), also called the atlas, is a ring-shaped bone that begins at the base of your skull. It’s named after Atlas, of Greek mythology, who held the world on his shoulders. The atlas holds your head upright. Your second vertebra (C2), also called the axis, allows the atlas to pivot against it for the side-to-side “no” rotation of your head.

Your seven cervical vertebrae (C1 to C7) are connected at the back of the bone by a type of joint (called facet joints), which allow for the forward, backward and twisting motions of your neck.

Your cervical spine is also surrounded by muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments. “Shock-absorbing” disks, called intervertebral disks, are positioned between each vertebra. Your spinal cord runs through the center of your entire spine. Your spinal cord sends and receives messages from your brain, which controls all aspects of your body’s functions.

What does the cervical spine do?

Your cervical spine has several functions, including:

• Protecting your spinal cord. The nerves of your spinal cord pass through a large hole (called the vertebral foramen) that passes through the center of all of your vertebrae — from the base of your skull through the cervical vertebrae, the thoracic (middle back) vertebrae and ending between the first and second lumbar (lower back) vertebrae. Taken together, all the stacked vertebrae of your spine form a protective central canal that protects your spinal cord.
• Supporting your head and allowing movement. Your cervical spine supports the weight of your head (average weight of 10 to 13 pounds). It also allows your head and neck to tilt forward (flexion), backward (extension), turn from side to side (rotation) or bend to one side (ear-to-shoulder; lateral flexion).
• Providing a safe passageway for vertebral arteries. Small holes in cervical spine vertebrae C1 to C6 provide a protective pathway for vertebral arteries to carry blood to your brain. This is the only section of vertebrae in the entire spine that contains holes in the bone to allow arteries to pass through.

What are the other muscles and soft tissues in the neck?

Other structures around or involving your cervical spine include the following:

Muscles supporting your cervical spine

The major muscles that attach to your cervical spine include:

• Sternocleidomastoid. This muscle, one on each side of your neck, runs from behind your ear to the front of your neck. It attaches to your breast bone (sternum) and collarbone. This muscle allows you to rotate your head side-to-side and tilt your chin upward.
• Trapezius. This pair of triangular muscles extend from the base of your skull down your cervical and thoracic spine and out to your shoulder blade. They help tilt your head upward/move your neck backward, rotate your head right or left or lift your shoulder blade.
• Levator scapulae. This muscle attaches to your first four cervical vertebrae and the top of your shoulder blade (scapula). It helps lift your shoulder blade, bend your head to the side and rotate your head.
• Erector spinae. Several muscles make up this muscle group. In your cervical spine area, these muscles help with posture, neck rotation and backward neck extension.
• Deep cervical flexors. These muscles run down the front of your cervical spine. They allow you to flex your neck forward neck and help keep your cervical spine stable.
• Suboccipital muscles. These four pairs of muscles connect the top of your cervical spine with the base of your skull. They allow you to extend and rotate your head.

Ligaments of your cervical spine

Ligaments in your cervical spine connect bone to bone to help to keep your cervical spine stable. Three major cervical spine ligaments are:

• Anterior longitudinal ligament. This ligament extends from the base of your skull, down the front of the cervical vertebra. It stretches to resist backward neck motion.
• Posterior longitudinal ligament. This ligament starts at C2 and extends down the back of your cervical vertebrae. It stretches to resist forward neck motion.
• Ligamentum flava. These ligaments line the backside of the inside opening of each vertebra where your spinal cord passes. These ligaments cover and protect your spinal cord from behind.

Disks in the cervical spine

Cervical disks are the “shock absorber cushions” that sit between each vertebra. A total of six disks are positioned between the seven cervical vertebrae (one between two vertebrae). In addition to cushioning against stresses placed on your neck, the disks allow you to flex and rotate your head more easily during activity.

Nerves in the cervical spine

Eight pairs of spinal nerves exit through small openings (foramen) between every pair of vertebrae in your cervical spine. They’re labeled C1 through C8. They stimulate muscle movement in your neck, shoulder, arm and hand, and provide sensation.

• Cervical nerves C1, C2 and C3 control your forward, backward and side head and neck movements. The C2 nerve provides sensation to the upper area of your head; C3 gives sensation to the side of your face and back of your head.
• Cervical nerve 4 controls your upward shoulder motion and is one of the nerves that controls your diaphragm (muscle at the bottom of your rib cage that helps you breathe). C4 provides sensation for parts of your neck, shoulders and upper arms.
• Cervical nerve 5 controls the deltoid muscles of your shoulders and your biceps. C5 provides sensation to the upper part of your upper arm down to your elbow.
• Cervical nerve 6 controls the extensor muscles of your wrist and is involved in the control of your biceps. C6 provides sensation to the thumb side of your forearm and hand.
• Cervical nerve 7 controls your triceps and wrist extensor muscles. C7 provides sensation to the back of your arm into your middle finger.
• Cervical nerve 8 controls your hands and gives sensation to the pinky side of your hand and forearm.

Spinal cord

Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerve tissue that extends from the lower part of your brain to your body. It carries messages between your brain and the muscles mentioned above.