The cervical spine and the hyoid bone constitute the bones of the neck. The cervical spine is comprised of the 7 uppermost vertebrae of the vertebral column. C3 to C6 are the typical cervical vertebrae characterised by the presence of transverse foramina and, in many people, by their bifid spinous processes.

The neck is comprised of seven cervical vertebrae from C1 to C7, hyoid bone, manubrium of sternum and clavicles. The cervical spine has a lordotic curve (C shaped curve). According to peculiarities of cervical vertebrates, it could be divided into two groups: Superior cervical group: made up by C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis).

The neck is the start of the spinal column and spinal cord. The spinal column contains about two dozen inter-connected, oddly shaped, bony segments, called vertebrae. The neck contains seven of these, known as the cervical vertebrae. They are the smallest and uppermost vertebrae in the body.

The skeleton of the neck is formed by the cervical vertebrae, the hyoid bone, and the manubrium of the sternumwhich are part of the axial skeleton, as well as the clavicles which are part of the appendicular skeleton.

At the back of the vertebral body are bony arches that project outward to form the facet joints and spinous processes. These bony elements naturally create a hollow opening in the center of the cervical spinal column—a canal that houses and protects the spinal cord.