- Vertebra prominens
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Bone: Vertebra prominens Seventh cervical vertebra Gray's subject #21 101 Vertebra prominens is the proper name for the seventh cervical vertebra. The most distinctive characteristic of this vertebra is the existence of a long and prominent spinous process which is palpable from the skin surface, hence the name. This spinous process is thick, nearly horizontal in direction, not bifurcated, but terminating in a tubercle to which the lower end of the ligamentum nuchae is attached.
The seventh cervical vertebra (C7) has the most prominent spinous process only in about 70% of people; in the remainder, either C6 or T1 (the first thoracic vertebra) is the most prominent.
The transverse processes are of considerable size, their posterior roots are large and prominent, while the anterior are small and faintly marked; the upper surface of each has usually a shallow sulcus for the eighth spinal nerve, and its extremity seldom presents more than a trace of bifurcation.
The foramen transversarium may be as large as that in the other cervical vertebrae, but is generally smaller on one or both sides; occasionally it is double, sometimes it is absent.
On the left side it occasionally gives passage to the vertebral artery; more frequently the vertebral vein traverses it on both sides; but the usual arrangement is for both artery and vein to pass in front of the transverse process, and not through the foramen.
Sometimes the anterior root of the transverse process attains a large size and exists as a separate bone, which is known as a cervical rib.
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This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.Bones of torso (TA A02.2,3, GA 2.96–128) Vertebra General structuresbody of vertebra, vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch), foramina (vertebral, intervertebral), processes (transverse, articular/zygapophysis, spinous), spinal canalUncinate process of vertebra · Transverse foramen · Anterior tubercle · Carotid tubercle · Posterior tubercle
C1 (lateral mass, anterior arch, posterior arch), C2 (dens), C3, C4, C5, C6, C7Thoracic skeleton specific ribs (1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, true – 1–7, false – 8–12, floating – 11–12) · parts (Angle, Tubercle, Costal groove, Neck, Head)SternumThoracic cageSuperior thoracic aperture · Inferior thoracic aperture · Intercostal space · Costal margin · Infrasternal angleCategories:- Bones of the torso
- Musculoskeletal system stubs
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