Vertebral Body of Fourth Cervical Vertebra

Description

The vertebral body is the small, anteriorly located cylindrical part of the fourth cervical vertebra. Its anterior aspect is concave, while its posterior aspect, which forms the anterior wall of the vertebral foramen, is flat. Both its superior and inferior surfaces are saddle-shaped. The pedicles extend from its posterolateral aspects and the anterior roots of the transverse processes extend from its lateral aspects. It consists of:

—superior and inferior intervertebral surfaces;

—superior and inferior annular epiphyses;

—a pair of uncinate processes;

—vascular foramina.

The vertebral body of the fourth cervical vertebra provides an insertion site for the vertical part of longus cervicis muscle, as well as attachment sites for the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments.

Overall, the sizes of the vertebral bodies gradually increase caudally along the vertebral column. Adjacent vertebral bodies articulate with each other via intervertebral discs, forming the intervertebral symphysis joints.

In terms of function, each vertebral body provides structural support to the body weight that lies superior to it.