Fifth cervical vertebra; common level for cervical myelopathy
Expansion
Cervical vertebra 5
Purpose
C5 to C6 disc most common symptomatic cervical disc; C4 to C5 and C5 to C6 common levels
Clinical Context
Cervical vertebra 5: C5 to C6 disc herniation most common symptomatic cervical level. Causes myelopathy (cord compression symptoms) or radiculopathy (nerve compression). Imaging shows cord compression or signal change.
Related Terms
- Cervical myelopathy
- Cervical stenosis
Key Points
- C5 to C6 most common cervical disc herniation level; myelopathy presents with gait disturbance, hand clumsiness, weakness