cervical spine (C-spine)

7 cervical vertebrae, C1-C7. C1& C2 are 'atypical': because -> part of the body of C1 is transferred to the body of C2 -> part of the body that remains with C1 is represented by the anterior arch of C1. -> part of the body of C1 that was transferred to C2 becomes the dens. It is the pivot around which C1 (carrying the head) rotates. C3 - C6 are 'typical': characterized by -> large & triangular vertebral foramen -> spinous process: Short & bifid (C3-C5); long (C6) C7 (vertebra prominens): -> foramina transversaria small or absent -> spinous process - long & nonbifid

Related

cervical spine (C-spine) clearance cervical spine (C-spine) injury cervical spine involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) nerve root

Specific

carotid tubercle (Chassaignac tubercle) sternomastoid transverse foramen; vertebroarterial foramen; foramen of transverse process tubercle of atlas (anterior/posterior) tubercle of cervical vertebra (anterior/posterior) uncinate process of cervical vertebra uncovertebral joint (Luschka joint)

References

Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th edition, KL Moore & AF Dalley (eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA 1999.