Vertebra prominens (C7)

Study entry

Parts

It has the longest spinous process of the cervical vertebrae, which makes a bump under the skin of the nape. The transverse foramina are small (sometimes absent): only small accessory veins pass through, not the vertebral artery.

Joints

With C6 and T1 through the discs and the zygapophysial joints.

Palpation

Sliding a finger along the midline of the nape, the spinous process of C7 is the most evident bump in about 70% of people.

Source: cap. 2, «Vértebras: vértebras cervicales» y tabla 2-1

Other structures in this region

• Typical cervical vertebra (C3–C6)
• Atlas (C1)
• Axis (C2)
• Typical thoracic vertebra (T1–T12)
• Typical lumbar vertebra (L1–L5)
• Sacrum
• Coccyx