Atypical Cervical Vertebrae: C7/Vertebra Prominens Flashcards
What names may be given to C7?
vertebra prominens and vertebral prominence
What is the name given to the topographical elevation observed at the base of the neck?
vertebral prominence
In what percent of men and of women does C7 become the vertebral prominence?
- men: 86%
- women: 79%
What is the segment and gender bias for vertebrae other than C7 becoming the vertebral prominence?
C6 is more common in females and T1 is more common in males
What joint surfaces are present at the superior margin of the vertebral body of C7?
- anterior groove
- posterior groove
- right and left uncinate processes
- cancellous bone
What joint surfaces are present at the inferior margin of the vertebral body of C7?
- anterior and posterior margins of the inferior epiphyseal rim
- cancellous bone
How many joint surfaces are present at the vertebral body of C7?
eight
What joint classifications are observed at the vertebral body of C7?
- fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis
- cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis
- modified synovial saddle (diarthrosis sellar)
How many synovial joint surfaces are observed at the vertebral body of C7?
two
What synovial joint surfaces are observed at the vertebral body of C7?
the right and left uncinate processes
What muscle attaches to the vertebral body of C7?
longus colli muscle
What are the osseous parts of the transverse process of C7?
- costal element
- anterior tubercle
- costotransverse bar
- posterior tubercle
- true transverse process
What features are typically present in the transverse foramen at C7?
- vertebral venous plexus
- postganglionic sympathetic motor fibers
What muscles attach to the transverse process of C7?
- middle scalene
- iliocostalis thoracis
- longissimus cervicis
- semispinalis capitis
- rotators
- intertransversarii
- levator costarum brevis
What is the angulation of the articular facet at C7?
more vertical at about 63 degrees
What is the orientation of the superior articular facet of C7?
backward, upward, and medial (BUM)
What is the orientation of the inferior articular facet of C7?
forward, medial, downward (ForMeD)
What muscles will attach to the articular process of C7?
- longissimus cervicis
- longissimus capitis
- semispinalis cervicis
- multifidis
What are the features of the spinous process of C7?
long, horizontal, nonbifid
What muscles attach to the spinous process of C7?
- trapezius
- rhomboid minor
- serratus posterior superior
- splenius capitis
- spinalis capitis
- spinalis cervicis
- semispinalis thoracis
- multifidis
- rotators
- interspinalis
What ligaments attach to the spinous process of C7?
- ligamentum nuchae
- interspinous ligaments
