C3, C4, and C5 spinal cord injuries can be life-threatening and permanently alter ones lifestyle. Watch Our Video Author: SpinalCord.com Team Medically Reviewed by: Jennifer Kornick, MS CCC-SLP Publish Date: Apr 26, 2021 The C3, C4, and C5 vertebrae form the midsection of the cervical spine, near the base of the neck. A cervical vertebrae injury is the most severe of all spinal cord injuries because the higher up in the spine an injury occurs, the more damage that is caused to the central nervous system. Depending on the severity of the damage to the spinal cord, the injury may be noted as complete or incomplete. The C2 - C3 junction of the spinal column is important, as this is where flexion and extension occur (flexion is the movement of the chin toward the chest and extension is the backward movement of the head). Patients with a cervical vertebrae injury at the C3 level will have limited mobility in both their flexion and extension. The C3 vertebra is in line with the lower section of the jaw and hyoid bone, which holds the tongue in place. The flexible C3 vertebrae helps aid in the bending and rotation of the neck. This central portion of the spinal cord, which relates to the C4 vertebra, contains nerves that run to the diaphragm, which helps us breathe by contracting and pulling air into the lungs. The C4 vertebra is located in the neck region of the spinal column, just above the thoracic vertebrae. It is located in close proximity to the thyroid cartilage. The C5 spinal vertebra is the fifth vertebra from the top of the column. The C5 vertebra is significant for determining the severity of neck and spinal injury. If the injury is at or above the C5 vertebra, the person may be unable to breathe since the spinal cord nerves located between the third and fifth cervical vertebrae control respiration. Damage to the spinal cord at the C5 vertebra also affects the vocal cords, biceps, and deltoid muscles in the upper arms. The most common causes of cervical vertebrae injury and spinal cord damage include a spinal fracture from diving accidents and sports, as well as medical complications. Other common causes include: Cervical vertebrae from C3 through C6 are also known as typical vertebrae since they share similar anatomical characteristics to the other vertebrae further down the spinal column. Typical vertebrae share these features: The thick boned vertebral body is cylindrical-shaped and located at the front of the vertebra. It carries most of the weight for a vertebra. Most vertebrae feature an intervertebral disc between 2 vertebral bodies for cushioning and shock absorption. The vertebral arch is a bony curve that wraps around the spinal cord toward the back of the spine and consists of 2 pedicles and 2 laminae. Each vertebra has a pair of facet joints, also known as zygapophysial joints. These joints, located between the pedicle and lamina on each side of the vertebral arch, are lined with smooth cartilage to enable limited movement between 2 vertebrae. Spinal degeneration or injury to the facet joints are among the most common causes of chronic neck pain. These vertebrae form the midsection of the cervical spine, near the base of the neck. They control function to the body from the shoulders down. All three vertebrae work together to support the neck and head. The C3,C4, and C5 vertebrae are part of the cervical spinal column. There are seven vertebral levels in total in this region, known as C1-C7. These vertebrae protect the spinal cord running through the cervical region of the spine, as well as provide support for the neck and head. The C3, C4, & C5 vertebrae form the midsection of the cervical spine. C3 - C5 cervical vertebrae injuries tend to be severe because the central nervous system is more damaged. Symptoms of a spinal cord injury corresponding to C3 vertebrae include: Patients with C4 spinal cord injuries typically need 24 hour-a-day support to breathe and maintain oxygen levels. Symptoms of a spinal cord injury corresponding to C4 vertebrae include: Damage to the spinal cord at the C5 vertebra affects the vocal cords, biceps, and deltoid muscles in the upper arms. Unlike some of the higher cervical injuries, a patient with a C5 spinal cord injury will likely be able to breathe and speak on their own. Symptoms of a spinal cord injury corresponding to C5 vertebrae include: Unfortunately, there is no treatment which will completely reverse the spinal cord damage from a cervical vertebrae injury at the C3 - C5 levels. Medical care is focused on preventing further damage to the spinal cord and utilization of remaining function. Current treatments available for patients are: A spinal fracture may be remedied with surgery, but the abnormal movement of vertebrae or pieces of bone can cause a more severe spinal cord injury. It is an unfortunate truth that there are not many options to date to completely recover from a cervical spinal cord injury. Medical researchers are continuously looking into new drug therapies to help regain sensory and motor function. The use of stem cells is seen more and more in research as these cells are specialized enough to possibly regenerate damaged spinal cord tissues. Lab study results show greater sensory and motor function in those patients treated with stem cells for spinal cord damage. 
C3 Spinal Vertebra Defined
C4 Spinal Vertebra Defined
C5 Spinal Vertebra Defined
What Causes Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries?
C3, C4, & C5 Vertebrae Anatomy
Vertebral Body
Vertebral Arch
Facet Joints
What Are the Functions of the C3-C5 Vertebrae?
The Relationship Between the C3, C4, & C5 Vertebrae
C3, C4, and C5 Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms
Symptoms of a C3 Spinal Cord Injury
Symptoms of a C4 Spinal Cord Injury
Symptoms of a C5 Spinal Cord Injury
Treatments for C3-C5 Spinal Cord Injuries
C3, C4, & C5 Spinal Cord Injury Recovery
Sources:
FAQs
What is a C3 C4 C5 spinal injury? ›
The C3, C4, and C5 vertebrae form the midsection of the cervical spine, near the base of the neck. A cervical vertebrae injury is the most severe of all spinal cord injuries because the higher up in the spine an injury occurs, the more damage that is caused to the central nervous system.
What parts of the body will be paralyzed with a C3 spinal cord injury? ›Spinal cord injuries at the C4 level and above, including C1, C2, and C3, usually result in total paralysis. Injuries to this area often cause the loss of the use of the chest, arms, and legs.
Why are spinal cord injuries at C3 to C5 levels fatal? ›A C3 spinal cord injury can affect the muscles involved with breathing which, without immediate medical attention, can be fatal. This is because the primary muscle involved in respiration, called the diaphragm, is controlled by the C3-C5 spinal nerves.
What is the prognosis for a C4 spinal cord injury? ›People with complete C4 SCI do not have the ability to move their arms or legs. They may experi- ence problems with coughing and breathing. Injuries at or above the C4 level may require a ventilator. Neck and shoul- der movement and breathing are usually possible with a C4 spinal cord injury.
What is the life expectancy of a C5 spinal cord injury? ›Estimated life expectancies from 25 to 65 years ranged between 69–64%, 74–65%, 88–91% and 97–96% for C1–4 AIS A–C, C5–8 A–C, T1–S5 A–C and all AIS D lesions, respectively.
Why is damage to C3 and C4 bad? ›Generally, the higher up the level of the injury is to the spinal cord, the more severe the symptoms. For example, an injury to the neck, the first and second vertebrae in the spinal column (C1, C2), or the mid-cervical vertebrae (C3, C4, and C5) affects the respiratory muscles and the ability to breathe.
What's the worst spinal cord injury? ›Cervical spinal cord injuries affect the head and neck region above the shoulders. It is the most severe level of spinal cord injury.
What are the symptoms of spinal cord compression at C3 C4? ›- Pain and stiffness in the neck, back, or lower back.
- Burning pain that spreads to the arms, buttocks, or down into the legs (sciatica)
- Numbness, cramping, or weakness in the arms, hands, or legs.
- Loss of sensation in the feet.
- Trouble with hand or leg coordination.
There's no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord. But researchers are continually working on new treatments. They include prostheses and medicines that might promote nerve cell regeneration or improve the function of the nerves that remain after a spinal cord injury.
What does C3 C4 C5 control? ›It also sends signals to various muscles, such as the upper trapezius and levator scapulae. The C5 spinal nerve typically innervates skin on the upper arm. It also sends signals to various muscles, such as the deltoid and biceps. The C3, C4, and C5 nerves also help control the diaphragm for breathing.
What are the symptoms of C4 C5 nerve damage? ›
One or more regions of the forearm, hand, and/or one or more fingers may also lose normal sensations and become numb. Other symptoms of C4-C5 disc herniation can include weakness in one or both shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Joints in these locations are also likely to be affected, hence limiting motions.
Can you recover from a C5 spinal cord injury? ›Challenges in Treating C5 Spinal Cord Injuries
Limited Regeneration: Unlike other parts of the body, the spinal cord has limited regenerative capacity. Nerve cells in the spinal cord do not regenerate as effectively, making recovery challenging, but not impossible.
A cervical spinal cord injury is considered the most severe and deadly type of SCI. This is because the higher up the damage occurs on the spinal cord, and the more complete the injury, the higher the risk of complete paralysis and death.
Can you talk with a C4 spinal cord injury? ›High-Cervical Nerves (C1 – C4)
Patient may not be able to breathe on his or her own, cough, or control bowel or bladder movements. Ability to speak is sometimes impaired or reduced.
People who have an incomplete SCI (where some function and feeling below the injury level is retained) have a much higher chance of walking again compared to those who suffer a complete SCI (a total loss of function and feeling below the injury level).
What nerves are affected by C3 and C4? ›The supraclavicular nerve, of C3 and C4, descends from the posterior sternocleidomastoid and provides sensory information from the skin over the clavicle and shoulder.
What happens if C5 is damaged? ›+General Effects of Spinal Cord Injury to C5 Cervical Nerve
Person can raise his or her arms and bend elbows. Likelihood of some or total paralysis of wrists, hands, trunk and legs. Can speak and use diaphragm, but breathing is weakened. Little or no voluntary control of bowel or bladder.