How many cervical nerves are present in the human body?

The human body has a total of eight cervical nerves. These nerves are critical components of the peripheral nervous system and emerge from the cervical segment of the spinal cord, which is located in the neck region. The cervical nerves are numbered C1 through C8, with each nerve pair exiting the vertebral column between the cervical vertebrae.

The first seven cervical nerves exit above their corresponding vertebrae (e.g., C1 exits above the first cervical vertebra), while the eighth cervical nerve exits below the seventh cervical vertebra. This might be a point of confusion, as there are only seven cervical vertebrae in total. However, the presence of eight cervical nerves reflects the unique organization of the spinal nerves.

Understanding the structure and numbering of cervical nerves is essential for studying human anatomy and neurology, as these nerves are responsible for several key functions, including motor control and sensation in regions such as the neck, shoulders, arms, and diaphragm.