cervical vertebrae

Last reviewed 01/2018

The 7 cervical vertebrae are termed C1 to C7. With the exceptions of anomalies in C1, C2 and C7, they are characterised by:

• formation of the bony framework of the neck
• relatively small compared to other vertebrae
• body:
• relatively small and kidney shaped
• superior and inferior surface both slightly lipped at lateral margins
• uncovertebral joints at margins of body
• pedicles pass dorsolaterally
• vertebral foramen triangular in shape and relatively large
• laminae relatively long and narrow
• spinous process short and bifid
• tranverse processes:
• broad
• arises from junction of body and pedicle
• divided into anterior and posterior tubercles joined by costotransverse lamella; region bounded is the foramen transversarium
• costotransverse lamella has groove on its superior surface for ventral ramus of spinal nerve
• the rib component of cervical vertebrae is represented by anterior root and tubercle, intertubercular lamella and anterior part of posterior tubercle
• at junction of pedicle and lamina is articular mass:
• superior and inferior articular processes project from mass
• superior articular surface faces superiorly and posteriorly
• inferior articular surface faces inferiorly and anteriorly
• the slope of the facet surface becomes less horizontal with descent down the cervical spine