THE ROTATION VERTEBRA 



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THE SEVENTH CERVICAL VERTEBRA (VERTEBRA PROMINENS) 



This has a long spinous process, non-bifurcated, nearly 

 horizontal, and projecting under the skin; hence the name 

 vertebra promt urn*. Attached to it is the lower end of the 

 ligamentum nuchse. The transverse processes are massive, 

 slightly grooved, with a small foramen or none at all ; the 

 posterior tubercle is large and the anterior one very small. 



Spinous process. 

 Seventh cervical vertebra, or vertebra prominens. 



The vertebral artery and vein do not pass through these for- 

 amina, but in front of them; both veins may, sometimes the 

 left artery does; the vessels may enter no foramina until the 

 fourth vertebra is reached. 



Varieties. The anterior tubercle of the sixth is large, and 

 is called Chassaignac's and carotid tubercle. The common 

 carotid artery may be compressed against it; opposite this 

 level the omohyoid crosses beneath the sternomastoid muscle- 



