The first cervical ventral rami emerge above the posterior arch of C1 (atlas) deep to the mastoid processes.  The second emerges between the vertebral arches of C1 and C2 (axis) below the transverse processes of C1.  The third emerges between longus colli and scalenus medius below the transverse processes of C2.  The fourth to eighth emerge between scalenus anterior and scalenus medius where the lower rami are palpable in the posterior triangle of the neck, above and behind the subclavian artery.