<Li> The pedicles are directed laterally and backward, and attach to the body midway between its upper and lower borders, so that the superior vertebral notch is as deep as the inferior, but it is, at the same time, narrower . </Li> <Li> The laminae are narrow, and thinner above than below; the vertebral foramen is large, and of a triangular form . </Li> <Li> The spinous process is short and bifid, the two divisions being often of unequal size . Because the spinous processes are so short, certain superficial muscles (the trapezius and splenius capitis) attach to the nuchal ligament rather than directly to the vertebrae; the nuchal ligament itself attaching to the spinous processes of C2--C7 and to the posterior tubercle of the atlas . </Li> <Li> The superior and inferior articular processes of cervical vertebrae have fused on either or both sides to form articular pillars, columns of bone that project laterally from the junction of the pedicle and lamina . </Li>

The cervical region of the vertebral column consists of