Preferred Label : mammalian cervical vertebra 7;
Uberon definition : Vertebra prominens is the proper name for the seventh cervical vertebra. The most
distinctive characteristic of this vertebra is the existence of a long and prominent
spinous process which is palpable from the skin surface, hence the name. This spinous
process is thick, nearly horizontal in direction, not bifurcated, but terminating
in a tubercle to which the lower end of the ligamentum nuchae is attached. The seventh
cervical vertebra (C7) has the most prominent spinous process only in about 70% of
people; in the remainder, either C6 or T1 (the first thoracic vertebra) will be the
most prominent. The transverse processes are of considerable size, their posterior
roots are large and prominent, while the anterior are small and faintly marked; the
upper surface of each has usually a shallow sulcus for the eighth spinal nerve, and
its extremity seldom presents more than a trace of bifurcation. The foramen transversarium
may be as large as that in the other cervical vertebrae, but is generally smaller
on one or both sides; occasionally it is double, sometimes it is absent. On the left
side it occasionally gives passage to the vertebral artery; more frequently the vertebral
vein traverses it on both sides; but the usual arrangement is for both artery and
vein to pass in front of the transverse process, and not through the foramen. Sometimes
the anterior root of the transverse process attains a large size and exists as a separate
bone, which is known as a cervical rib.;
Uberon synonym : vertebra prominens (CVII); seventh cervical vertebra; prominent vertebra; cervical vertebra 7; C7 vertebra;
Origin ID : 0004616;
UMLS CUI : C0223176;
Automatic exact mappings (from CISMeF team)
Semantic type(s)
UMLS correspondences (same concept)
Uberon cross reference
Vertebra prominens is the proper name for the seventh cervical vertebra. The most
distinctive characteristic of this vertebra is the existence of a long and prominent
spinous process which is palpable from the skin surface, hence the name. This spinous
process is thick, nearly horizontal in direction, not bifurcated, but terminating
in a tubercle to which the lower end of the ligamentum nuchae is attached. The seventh
cervical vertebra (C7) has the most prominent spinous process only in about 70% of
people; in the remainder, either C6 or T1 (the first thoracic vertebra) will be the
most prominent. The transverse processes are of considerable size, their posterior
roots are large and prominent, while the anterior are small and faintly marked; the
upper surface of each has usually a shallow sulcus for the eighth spinal nerve, and
its extremity seldom presents more than a trace of bifurcation. The foramen transversarium
may be as large as that in the other cervical vertebrae, but is generally smaller
on one or both sides; occasionally it is double, sometimes it is absent. On the left
side it occasionally gives passage to the vertebral artery; more frequently the vertebral
vein traverses it on both sides; but the usual arrangement is for both artery and
vein to pass in front of the transverse process, and not through the foramen. Sometimes
the anterior root of the transverse process attains a large size and exists as a separate
bone, which is known as a cervical rib.