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Cervical vertebra

There are a total of 7 cervical vertebra, out of which C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis) are atypical.  Their characteristics include:

  • The body is wider than than it is tall
  • Spinous process is short and forked, except for C7.
  • Vertebral foramen is triangular
  • Transverse processes contain transverse formamina
  • Articular facets face supero-posteriorly and infero-anteriorly.
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Superior view of a cervical vertebra.  Annotated version here.  (Picture taken with a Hasselblad 120/4 on Aptus 65)
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Inferior view of a cervical vertebra (C7).  Annotated version here.  (Picture taken with a Hasselblad 120/4 on Aptus 65)
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Cervical vertebra showing prominent bifid spinous process, triangular vertebral foramen, and pair of transverse foramina.  (Picture taken with NEX-6)

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