Medical expert of the article
New publications
Cervical vertebrae
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Cervical vertebrae (vertebrae cervicales) experience less stress compared to the rest of the spine, so they have a small body. The transverse processes of all cervical vertebrae have an opening of the transverse process (foramen processus transversus). The process ends with tubercles - anterior and posterior. The anterior tubercle of the sixth cervical vertebra is well developed, it is called a sleep tubercle. To it, if necessary, the carotid artery, which passes anterior to this tubercle, may be pressed. The articular processes of the cervical vertebrae are rather short. The articular surfaces of the upper articular processes are turned back and forth, the lower articular processes - forward and downward. The spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae are short, bifurcated at the end. The spinous process of the VII cervical vertebra is longer and thicker than that of the adjacent vertebrae. It is easy to probe for a person, so it is called a protruding vertebra (vertebra prominens).
Atlas (atlas) - I cervical vertebra - does not have a body, since in the embryonic period it merged with the body of the cervical vertebra II, forming its tooth. In the composition of the atlanta, the anterior and posterior arcs (arcus anterior and posterior) are distinguished, joined at the sides by two thickenings - lateral masses (massae laterales). Vertebral foramen large, round. The anterior tubercle (tuberculum anterior) is located on the anterior arc . On the inner (back) surface of the anterior arc there is a depression - the fovea of the tooth (fovea dentis). It is designed to connect with the tooth of the 2nd cervical vertebra. On the posterior arc of the atlas is the posterior tuberculum (tuberculum posterius). It is an underdeveloped spinous process. Top and bottom joint surfaces are located on top and bottom on each lateral mass. The upper articular surfaces (facies particulares superiores) are oval, connect with the occipital condyles. The lower articular surfaces (facies articulates inferiores), on the other hand, are rounded, designed for articulation with articular surfaces of the 2nd cervical vertebra. On the upper surface of the posterior arch, the furrow of the vertebral artery (sulcus a.vertebralis) is visible from both sides .
Axial - II cervical vertebra (axis) is characterized by the presence of a tooth - an appendage that extends upwards from the body of the vertebra. The tooth (dens) has an apex and two articular surfaces - anterior and posterior. The front articular surface (facies articularis anterior) is articulated with a fossa on the posterior surface of the 1st cervical vertebra, the posterior articularis posterior (facies articularis posterior) with the transverse ligament of the atlas. On the sides, the body of the axial vertebra from above has articular surfaces for connection with the atlas. The lower articular surfaces of the axial vertebra serve for articulation with the third cervical vertebra.
[Where does it hurt?
What do need to examine?