Bone
Typical cervical vertebra
Usual neck-vertebra pattern, represented by C3–C6
High-yield
A split spinous-process tip is common in the middle cervical region but is not universal, especially at C6. The vertebral artery usually enters the transverse foramen at C6 and continues upward through C1; entry-level variants occur.
Overview
Typical cervical vertebrae have relatively small bodies and a broad vertebral opening. Their transverse processes contain foramina, and raised uncinate processes along the body margins help distinguish them from thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.
Reference facts
- Bone type
- Irregular bone of the cervical spine
- Key landmarks
- Transverse foramina; broad, roughly triangular vertebral foramen; uncinate processes; spinous process that is often bifid
- Articulations
- Neighboring vertebral bodies through discs and posterior articular processes through facet joints; uncovertebral articulations along body margins
Clinical correlation
A cervical fracture that extends into a transverse foramen can injure the vertebral artery. This is an increased-risk relationship, not proof that every transverse-process fracture has damaged the artery.
Frequently asked questions
What type of bone is the typical cervical vertebra?
The typical cervical vertebra is an irregular bone of the cervical spine bone.
What does the typical cervical vertebra articulate with?
Neighboring vertebral bodies through discs and posterior articular processes through facet joints; uncovertebral articulations along body margins.
What are the key landmarks of the typical cervical vertebra?
Transverse foramina; broad, roughly triangular vertebral foramen; uncinate processes; spinous process that is often bifid.