Thirty patients' computed tomographic (CT) scans of the cervical spine were used to measure screw path lengths with respect to anterior plating. The results indicated that all screw paths were longer in men than in women, and the majority of lengths differed significantly by sex (P < or = .05). The mean length of the sagittal, parasagittal, and convergent screw paths for both men and women was 16 mm. The mean length of the safe divergent screw path was 15 mm. Therefore, the safe screw length may be 16 mm for convergent placement and 15 mm for divergent placement. Convergent screw placement is recommended. Preoperative CT or magnetic resonance imaging evaluation and measurement of the intended screw trajectories are recommended.