Features of the Typical Cervical Vertebra

The cervical vertebra's most universal and prominent feature is foramen transverarium – the bilateral opening within the transverse processes for the vertebral artery and vein passage. Other peculiarities of the typical cervical vertebrae, like the split tip of processus spinosus, raised edges of vertebral bodies (processus uncinatus) and thin and flat vertebral arch (lamina arcus vertebrae) are usually present only from the C3 to C6.

Markup for anterior view of the third cervical vertebra — C3. The anterior aspect of this typical cervical vertebra demonstrates the elevated upper lateral edges of the vertebral body *(processus uncinatus)* that are believed to improve vertebral column stability during excessive movements by limiting posterior translation and lateral bending^*.
The list of terms:
*Corpus vertebrae* – Body of vertebra
*Uncus corporis vertebrae* – Uncal process of cervical vertebra
*Processus transversus* – Transverse process
*Processus articularis superior* – Superior articular process (zygapophysis)
*Processus articularis inferior* – Incerior articular process (zygapophysis)
*Arcus vertebrae* – Vertebral arch
*Processus spinosus* – Spinous process

^* White AA, Panjabi MM. Clinical biomechanics of the spine. ed 2. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1990. p. 722.

Markup for top view of the fourth cervical vertebra — C4. The top aspect.
The list of terms:
*Corpus vertebrae* – Body of vertebra
*Arcus vertebrae* – Vertebral arch
*Foramen vertebrale* – Vertebral foramen
*Uncus corporis* – Uncal (hook-like) process
*Processus transversus* – Transverse process
*Foramen transversarium* – Transverse process
*Tuberculum anterius* – Anterior tubercle
*Tuberculum posterius* – Posterior tubercle
*Sulcus nervi spinalis* – Groove for spinal nerve
*Processus articularis superior* – Superior articular process
*Processus spinosus* – Spinous process

Markup for iso view of third cervical vertebra — C3. The iso view demonstrating a particularly flat and thin part of the vertebral arch – the *laimna arcus vertebrae*.
The list of terms:
*Tuberculum anterius* – Anterior tubercle (of transverse process)
*Tuberculum posterius* – Posterior tubercle (of transverse process)
*Sulcus nervi spinalis* – Groove for spinal nerve
*Lamina arcus vertebrae* – Lamina of vertebral arch

Ventral view of the sixth cervical vertebra with the anatomical terminology markup — C6. The frontal aspect
This vertebra has one feature allowing to identify it among other typical cervical vertebrae (especially when all cervical vertebrae from one individual are available). This feature is the large *tuberculum anterius* of the *processus transversus*. This tubercle usually projects behind the common carotid artery; that's why it is called *tuberculum caroticum*.
The list of terms:
*Tuberculum anterius* – Anterior tubercle
*Tuberculum posterius* – Posterior tubercle
*Tuberculum caroticum* – Carotid tubercle

5^th cervical vertebra. 360° rotation.

First published: Mar/2019
Last update: 15/12/2023