Bones of the Spine. 



67 



Processus spinosus 



Processus articularis inferior 



Processus articularis superior 



Tuberculuui posterius 

 Sulcus nervi spinalis 

 Tuberculum anterius 

 Foramen transversarium 



84. Seventh cervical vertebra, vertebra prominens, 



From above. 



The seventh cervical vertebra (see also Fig. 85) is characterized by an 

 especially long, powerful, non-bifurcated processus spinosus, which on, palpation of the 

 spine from above is usually the first to be distinctly felt; the vertebra is accordingly 

 named the vertebra prominens. It has in addition longer processus transversi; 

 its foramen transversarium is sometimes absent, it is nearly always small, is sometimes 

 subdivided and often serves for the passage of the v. vertebralis (not the a. vertebralis). 



On the lower margin of the lateral surface of the body a fovea costalis is 

 usually present for articulation with the head of the first rib. 



The part (processus costarius, see p. 65) situated in front of the foramen trans- 

 versarium, is sometimes slightly movable, forming the so-called cervical rib, in which 

 case its length may vary greatly (see Fig. 96, No. 4). 



