The skeleton of the neck is formed by the cervical vertebrae, connecting the cranium to the thoracic vertebrae.
Description
- There are seven cervical vertebrae.
- C1 and C2 (the atlas and axis) are specialized vertebrae that allow the movement of the head and will be discussed in depth further in this chapter.
- The following features characterize the cervical vertebrae:
- Small square-shaped vertebral bodies.
- Short bifid spinous processes.
- Transverse processes that contain a transverse foramen known as the foramen transversarium:
- The vertebral vessels penetrate the foramen transversarium to move between the base of the neck and the cranial cavity, except in C7 where only pass through small accessory veins.
- The transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae include an anterior and posterior tubercle for the attachment of the levator scapulae and scalene muscles.
- The anterior tubercles of the C6 are named carotid tubercles since the carotid arteries are located between the tubercle and the body of the vertebra.
- C7 is also known as vertebra prominens since it has the longest and prominent spinous process in comparison with the rest of the cervical vertebrae.
Atlas
C1, also known as Atlas, is a unique vertebra characterized by the fact that it lacks a body and a spinous process within its structure.
- It owes its name to the fact that it supports