vertebra prominens
Last reviewed 01/2018
The C7 vertebra is termed vertebra prominens because of its prominent spinous process which is palpable through the skin:
- vertebral foramen is more oval and smaller than foramen superiorly
- body:
- relatively broader than vertebrae superiorly
- uncus or lip sited at its lateral margin and facing superomedially
- joined to pedicle posterolaterally
- pedicles:
- directed more posteriorly than superior vertebral pedicles
- joined to body anteriorly, transverse process laterally, and continuous with lamella posteriorly
- transverse processes:
- contain smaller foramen transversarium than superior vertebrae which transmits vertebral vein
- foramen is bounded by anterior and posterior tubercles connected by intertubercular lamellae
- anterior tubercle of transverse process:
- longer than posterior tubercle
- may form a poorly developed rib-like structure as a fibrous or bony strip - the origin of cervical rib syndrome
- superior articular process:
- oval in shape
- at junction of transverse process and lamella
- inferior articular process: face more anteriorly than inferiorly
- laminae: relatively long and project posteriorly in median plane to spinous process
- spinous process:
- very long and prominent projecting directly posteriorly
- not bifid
- spinous tubercle at tip