Fig. 1

Typical cervical vertebra anatomy. Vertebral body (B) is anteriorly located (red)—cylindrical in shape, pedicles (P) are directed posterolaterally (green), laminae (L) are directed posteromedially (purple) and give rise to spinous process (S) with bifid tip (light yellow). Vertebral canal is triangular. Transverse processes contain vertebral foramen (F) and vertebral artery passes through it. Lateral masses are seen at the junction of pedicle and lamina—contains the articular facet at the superior (Sa, orange) and inferior aspect. Uncinate process (U) arises from the posterolateral corner of the vertebral body’s superior surface (blue)