APPLIED RADIOLOGICAL ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The cervical spine, comprised of seven cervical vertebrae referred to as C1 to C7, is divided into two major segments: the craniocervical junction (CCJ) and the subaxial spine. The CCJ includes the occiput and the two most cephalad cervical vertebrae, known as the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2).

Detailed explanation-2: -In the cervical segments, there are 7 cervical vertebrae and 8 cervical nerves (Figure 3.2). C1-C7 nerves exit above their vertebrae whereas the C8 nerve exits below the C7 vertebra. It leaves between the C7 vertebra and the first thoracic vertebra.

Detailed explanation-3: -The C7 is usually identified by a long, club-shaped and unbranched SP (1–3), referred to as vertebra prominens (4). The C7 represents the bottom of the cervical spine and connects with the top of the thoracic spine, T1, to form the cervicothoracic junction, also referred to as C7-T1.

Detailed explanation-4: -The only mammals which have evolved different numbers of neck vertebrae without any apparent problems are sloths and manatees. Two-toed sloths (Choloepus) have 5-7 neck vertebrae while three-toed sloths (Bradypus) have 8 or 9.

Detailed explanation-5: -Radiographs of the cervical spine showed no signs of trauma. However, it was noted that the cervical spine comprised 8 vertebrae instead of the usual 7 (Fig. 1). In addition, the thoracic radiograph demonstrated 13 vertebrae (Fig.