What Is a Bifid Vertebrae

The spinous process of a typical cervical vertebra is short and bifid posteriorly. It is bifid because it develops from two separate secondary centers of ossification. This morphology is unique to cervical spinous processes.

Does the vertebra Prominens have a bifid spinous process?

C7 possesses the standard cervical vertebral features but has some distinct features: spinous process ends in a rounded tubercle and is not bifid. C7 transverse foramina are small, and do not transmit the vertebral artery.

Do all cervical vertebrae have bifid spinous process?

This is true of all cervical vertebrae except C7, whose transverse foramina contain only accessory veins. Another feature unique to the cervical vertebrae is the bifid spinous process (See “physiologic variants” section), which may serve to increase surface area for muscle attachment.