vertebra “map”

Body

big anterior weight-bearing part

Vertebral arch

posterior ring behind the body

Pedicles

short bridges from body to arch

Laminae

plates of bone between transverse and spinous processes

Spinous process

posterior projection

Transverse processes

lateral projections

Superior/inferior articular processes

projections with facets that form joints

Facet

small smooth joint surface

Vertebral foramen

central hole for spinal cord

Intervertebral foramen

opening between adjacent vertebrae for spinal nerves

Notch

indentation that helps form the intervertebral foramen

Tubercle

small rounded projection

Transverse foramen

Opening in the transverse process of cervical vertebrae

Bifid spinous process

Split spinous process commonly seen in cervical vertebrae

Atlas

C1; supports the skull

Axis

C2; contains the dens

Dens / odontoid process

Tooth-like projection of C2 that allows rotation of C1 and the head

Anterior tubercle of C1

Small anterior projection on the atlas

Posterior tubercle of C1

Small posterior projection on the atlas

Vertebra prominens

C7; has a long prominent spinous process