Anatom3DThird cervical vertebra
Vertebra cervicalis III · Třetí krční obratel
Skeleton
Looks like
A small neck vertebra (C3) with a low oval body, a split spine at the back and holes in its side parts for the vertebral artery.
What it does
Supports the head, lets the neck bend and turn, and protects the spinal cord; the nerves to the diaphragm start near this level.
Keeping it well
Arthritis and disc wear are common with age. Neck pain with arm weakness or clumsy hands needs a check; a cord injury here can affect breathing.
Related conditions
- Acromegaly
- Fractures
- Fragility fracture
- Frailty & falls in older age
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Neck pain and cervical spondylosis
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
- Osteomalacia & rickets
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Osteoporosis
- Paget's disease of bone
- Sarcoma
- Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Whiplash
- Wry neck (torticollis)