Vertebra Prominens: Difference between revisions
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# Like the C3 through C6 vertebrae, C7 has a thicker area of bone called the '''Body''', located anterior to the vertebral foramen. The body of C7 supports the collective weight of the head and neck. | # Like the C3 through C6 vertebrae, C7 has a thicker area of bone called the '''Body''', located anterior to the vertebral foramen. The body of C7 supports the collective weight of the head and neck. | ||
# '''Lateral Facets,''' allow C7’s body to form joints with the C6 vertebra above it and the T1 below it. The facets surrounding the body provide both stability and flexibility to the neck. | # '''Lateral Facets,''' allow C7’s body to form joints with the C6 vertebra above it and the T1 below it. The facets surrounding the body provide both stability and flexibility to the neck. | ||
# Fibrocartilaginous [[Intervertebral disc|intervertabral discs]] above and below the C7’s body provide cushioning. The discs surrounding the body provide both stability and flexibility to the neck. | # Fibrocartilaginous [[Intervertebral disc|intervertabral discs]] above and below the C7’s body provide cushioning. The discs surrounding the body provide both stability and flexibility to the neck<ref>Inner body research [https://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/skeletal/c7-7th-cervical-vertebra C7] Available: https://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/skeletal/c7-7th-cervical-vertebra<nowiki/>(accessed 4.11.2021)</ref>. | ||
== | == Distinct Features == | ||
C7 possesses the standard cervical vertebral features but has some distinct features: | |||
* spinous process ends in a rounded tubercle and is not bifid | |||
* C7 transverse foramina are small, and do not transmit the [[Vertebral Artery|vertebral artery]] | |||
* C7 anterior tubercle is small, and is the site of attachment for [[Scalenus Minimus|scalenus minimus]] and suprapleural membrane | |||
* C8 nerve, which does not have an associated cervical vertebra, exits in the C7-[[Thoracic Vertebrae|T1 vertebral foramen]] below C7 | |||
== Anomalies == | == Anomalies == | ||
# C7 may possess a [[Cervical Rib|cervical rib]] due to the anterior root of the transverse process having a large size and exists as a separate bone. These ribs are usually small, but may occasionally compress blood vessels (such as the subclavian artery or subclavian vein) or nerves in the [[Brachial plexus]], causing pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the upper limb, a condition known as [[Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)]]. | |||
# C7 foramen may transmit the grey ramus from the inferior cervical [[ganglion]] to the anterior ramus of C7 | |||
# Vertebral artery may enter at this level (usually it enters the cervical transverse foramen at C6)<ref>Radiopedia [https://radiopaedia.org/articles/c7-vertebra C7 Vertebra] Available:https://radiopaedia.org/articles/c7-vertebra (accessed 4.11.2021)</ref> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 01:51, 4 November 2021
Original Editor - Rachael Lowe
Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Admin, Kim Jackson and WikiSysop
Introduction[edit | edit source]
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Vertebra prominens is the name of the seventh cervical vertebra.
The 7th cervical vertebra (C7) is the largest and most inferior vertebra in the neck region. Unlike the other cervical vertebrae, the C7 has a large spinous process that protrudes posteriorly toward the skin at the back of the neck.
This spinous process can be easily seen and felt at the base of the neck, making it a prominent landmark of the skeleton (giving the C7 the name vertebra prominens).
The C7 is located in the spinal column inferior to the 6th cervical (C6) vertebra and superior to the first thoracic (T1) vertebrasurface, hence the name.
Image 1: C7 animation gif
Features[edit | edit source]
As the transitional vertebra between the cervical and thoracic regions, the C7 has some features of both the cervical and thoracic vertebrae.
- Like the C3 through C6 vertebrae, C7 has a thicker area of bone called the Body, located anterior to the vertebral foramen. The body of C7 supports the collective weight of the head and neck.
- Lateral Facets, allow C7’s body to form joints with the C6 vertebra above it and the T1 below it. The facets surrounding the body provide both stability and flexibility to the neck.
- Fibrocartilaginous intervertabral discs above and below the C7’s body provide cushioning. The discs surrounding the body provide both stability and flexibility to the neck[1].
Distinct Features[edit | edit source]
C7 possesses the standard cervical vertebral features but has some distinct features:
- spinous process ends in a rounded tubercle and is not bifid
- C7 transverse foramina are small, and do not transmit the vertebral artery
- C7 anterior tubercle is small, and is the site of attachment for scalenus minimus and suprapleural membrane
- C8 nerve, which does not have an associated cervical vertebra, exits in the C7-T1 vertebral foramen below C7
Anomalies[edit | edit source]
- C7 may possess a cervical rib due to the anterior root of the transverse process having a large size and exists as a separate bone. These ribs are usually small, but may occasionally compress blood vessels (such as the subclavian artery or subclavian vein) or nerves in the Brachial plexus, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the upper limb, a condition known as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS).
- C7 foramen may transmit the grey ramus from the inferior cervical ganglion to the anterior ramus of C7
- Vertebral artery may enter at this level (usually it enters the cervical transverse foramen at C6)[2]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Inner body research C7 Available: https://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/skeletal/c7-7th-cervical-vertebra(accessed 4.11.2021)
- ↑ Radiopedia C7 Vertebra Available:https://radiopaedia.org/articles/c7-vertebra (accessed 4.11.2021)
