Anterior Tubercle Of The Cervical Vertebra, Anatomy

Description

Anterior tubercle of the cervical transverse process is highlighted as a ventral bony prominence projecting from the lateral aspect of a mid cervical vertebra. From this fixed anterior oblique perspective, the tubercle sits anterior to the transverse foramen (foramen transversarium) and medial to the costotransverse bar, with the vertebral body positioned medially and the spinous process receding posteriorly. Adjacent surface cues typically include the superior and inferior tubercles framing the sulcus for the spinal nerve, and the pedicle and lamina forming the posterolateral arch. Small bone, big landmark. Clinically, the anterior tubercle of C6, the carotid tubercle (Chassaignac), is palpated at the level of the cricoid cartilage and used to compress the common carotid artery against the transverse process in hemorrhage control or during vascular examination. Its relationship to the transverse foramen matters because the vertebral artery ascends through the foramina transversaria, and anterior cervical exposures that stray laterally risk vertebral artery injury at C6 to C2. The tubercle also anchors and references deep neck anatomy, including longus colli on the anterior vertebral bodies and the anterior scalene more laterally, which frames the interscalene interval where the brachial plexus roots emerge. Use this illustration in head and neck anatomy teaching to orient learners to cervical vertebral surface landmarks, or in surgical atlases covering anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, cervical sympathectomy, and landmark based regional anesthesia. It also fits radiology and spine publications that annotate the transverse process, transverse foramen, and the carotid tubercle as a palpable correlate for axial CT or fluoroscopic targeting. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.