Where is c6 and c7 located

A dull ache or burning pain may occur in the lower cervical area, often accompanied by neck stiffness. See What Is Cervical Radiculopathy? When the spinal cord gets injured at C6-C7, pain, weakness, or paralysis may occur in one or more parts of the body below the injured level. Typically, nonsurgical treatments are tried first to control the symptoms of C6-C7 injuries.

If nonsurgical treatments do not provide relief, surgery may be considered. See Treatment for Neck Pain. Stiff Neck Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Video. You are here Conditions Spine Anatomy. By Julie Levine, DO. Peer Reviewed. The anterior region of the C6 vertebra is made of a short cylinder of bone known as the centrum or vertebral body.

The centrum forms a column continuous with the neighboring vertebrae, connected by the intervertebral disks. The intervertebral disks are thin masses of tough fibrocartilage with a soft, gel-like center. Each disk acts as a shock absorber for the spine while helping to hold the vertebral column in alignment.

The transverse processes extend laterally from the centrum and contain small holes known as the transverse foramina. The vertebral arteries and veins pass through the foramina, along with some nervous tissue. A bony ring known as the vertebral arch extends laterally and posteriorly from the centrum to surround the spinal cord and provide attachment points for the muscles of the neck. The pedicles of the vertebral arch extend from the left and right sides of the centrum posteriorly and laterally before widening into the superior and inferior articular processes.

The articular processes form planar synovial joints with the neighboring vertebrae, allowing the neck to rotate and providing greater mobility to the head. The C6 and C7 vertebrae are connected in the back by a pair of facet joints that allow limited forward, backward and twisting motions. Articular cartilage enables the facet joints to move smoothly, while muscles, tendons, and ligaments help hold the vertebrae together.

A strain or tear to any of these tissues can cause neck pain and stiffness. Between the vertebrae is an intervertebral disc that provides flexibility and shock absorption. The disc is made up of a tough outer ring called the annulus fibrosus, which encapsulates a gel-like interior called the nucleus pulposus.