Which is NOT a characteristic of typical cervical vertebrae?

Which is NOT a characteristic of typical cervical vertebrae?

• A. Transverse foramina
• B. Mamillary processes
• C. Bifid spinous process
• D. Short spinous process

Answer: (B)

Typical cervical vertebrae are built for mobility and passage of the vertebral artery: they have a transverse foramen in each transverse process, a relatively small, triangular vertebral foramen, and the spinous processes are short and often bifid (C3–C6; C7 is the more prominent, non-bifid exception). Mammillary processes, on the other hand, are features you see on the lumbar vertebrae, located on the posterior aspect of the superior articular processes and serving as muscle attachments. Because cervical vertebrae do not have these mammillary bumps, that feature does not fit the typical cervical pattern.

Typical cervical vertebrae are built for mobility and passage of the vertebral artery: they have a transverse foramen in each transverse process, a relatively small, triangular vertebral foramen, and the spinous processes are short and often bifid (C3–C6; C7 is the more prominent, non-bifid exception). Mammillary processes, on the other hand, are features you see on the lumbar vertebrae, located on the posterior aspect of the superior articular processes and serving as muscle attachments. Because cervical vertebrae do not have these mammillary bumps, that feature does not fit the typical cervical pattern.