Definition

Noun: * One of the seven small, hollow bones that form the skeletal structure of the neck (cervical spine), connecting the skull to the thoracic (chest) vertebrae. These bones protect the spinal cord and allow for neck movement.

Usage

• The term is used in medical, anatomical, and biological contexts to refer specifically to the vertebrae in the neck.
• It is often modified by a number (e.g., the third cervical vertebra) or discussed collectively (e.g., the cervical vertebrae).

Examples

• A common injury in car accidents is a fracture of the cervical vertebra.
• The doctor ordered an X-ray to examine the alignment of her cervical vertebrae.
• The first cervical vertebra, called the atlas, supports the skull.

Advanced Usage

• Cervical spondylosis: A general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the cervical vertebrae and the discs between them.
• Cervical radiculopathy: A condition where a nerve root in the cervical spine is compressed, often by a herniated disc or a bone spur from a vertebra.

Variants and Related Words

• Cervical (adjective): Pertaining to the neck or the cervix of the uterus. In this context, it relates to the neck (e.g., cervical spine, cervical nerves).
• Vertebra (noun, singular): Any one of the 33 individual, interlocking bones that form the spinal column.
• Vertebrae (noun, plural): The plural form of vertebra.
• Atlas (C1): The name for the first cervical vertebra.
• Axis (C2): The name for the second cervical vertebra.

Synonyms

• Neck bone (informal, non-technical)
• Cervical spine (when referring to the collective structure)

Different Meanings

• The adjective cervical has two distinct anatomical meanings:
  • Relating to the neck (e.g., cervical vertebrae, cervical lymph nodes).
  • Relating to the cervix, which is the narrow lower part of the uterus (e.g., cervical cancer, cervical smear). The context always clarifies which meaning is intended.

Noun

1. one of 7 vertebrae in the human spine located in the neck region