Cervical spine bones and ligaments: typical cervical vertebra (English)

A typical cervical vertebrae (C3-C6) consists of a body and arch. The vertebral body is smaller than that of its thoracic and lumbar counterparts due to the fact that it supports less weight. The vertebral arch projects from the posterior side of the body, initially as paired pedicles which represent the root of the arch. The pedicles are connected by a pair of laminae which enclose the vertebral foramen. The spinous process may be bifid, something only seen in cervical vertebrae.