Final answer:
The cervical spine, located in the neck and upper back, features seven vertebrae with small bodies, Y-shaped spinous processes, and transverse foramina for arterial passages. The nuchal ligament, an expansion of the supraspinous ligament, supports the skull and limits neck movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cervical spine is found within the neck and upper back. It consists of seven vertebrae, numbered C1 to C7, which have a variety of characteristics distinguishing them from the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. For instance, the typical cervical vertebrae, such as C4 or C5, are notable for their small bodies, which reflect their role in carrying the least amount of body weight. They also usually have a bifid (Y-shaped) spinous process, with the C3-C6 vertebrae having short processes and C7 being prominent at the base of the neck. The transverse foramen within each cervical vertebra is a critical passage for an important artery supplying the brain.
The nuchal ligament extends from the cervical spinous processes upwards to the base of the skull, supporting the skull and limiting forward neck bending movements. This ligament is more pronounced in quadrupeds like cows, where it supports the large skull. Compared to the thoracic and lumbar regions, where the supraspinous ligament interconnects longer, downward-angled spinous processes, the cervical region's supraspinous ligament is expanded into the nuchal ligament to accommodate shorter cervical spinous processes.