C5-C6
Medical abbreviation · Anatomy
| Stands for | Fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae (intervertebral level) |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
C5-C6 stands for Fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae (intervertebral level), an anatomy abbreviation.
Spinal segment between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae, the most common site of cervical disc herniation and degenerative spondylosis because it carries the most motion. A herniation here usually compresses the C6 nerve root, causing pain or numbness toward the thumb and weakness of wrist extension.
Example: MRI: C5-C6 disc osteophyte complex with right foraminal narrowing.
Usage notes
Levels are written with a hyphen (C5-C6 or C5-6) to name the disc between two vertebrae. In the neck each root exits above its numbered vertebra, so the C6 root exits at C5-C6, whereas in the lumbar spine a herniation usually affects the root numbered for the lower vertebra. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a common operation at this level.
Related abbreviations
More anatomy abbreviations
- ASIS – Anterior superior iliac spine
- ATFL – Anterior talofibular ligament
- BBB – Blood-brain barrier
- C-spine – Cervical spine
- C1 – First cervical vertebra (atlas)
- C2 – Second cervical vertebra (axis)
- C7 – Seventh cervical vertebra (vertebra prominens)
- CBD – Common bile duct
- CFA – Common femoral artery
- CMC – Carpometacarpal (joint)
- CN – Cranial nerve
- CNS – Central nervous system
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.