Anatomy Answer 6

Typical Cervical Vertebra Viewed From Above

o Except for C7 (vertebra prominens) that has a long unifid spinous process, all typical cervical vertebrae have a short bifid spinous process.

o These vertebrae show a hole in their spinous processes called foramen transversarium. These foramina transmit the vertebral arteries. C7’s foramina transversaria are however smaller and only transmit small accessory vertebral veins.

o These vertebrae also show anterior and posterior tubercles at their transverse processes’ extremity. C7’s anterior tubercle is however vestigial and very small.

o Grooves (x2) for the exit of the spinal nerves (x2) associated with the vertebra are also present on the superior aspect of the transverse processes. Cervical spinal nerves thus course just above pedicles on their way to exit above their corresponding vertebra contrarily to the pattern respected in the rest of the cord. This is because there is a 8^th cervical spinal nerve but no corresponding 8^th cervical vertebra. This nerve thus exits between C7 and T1.