An anatomical study of the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebrae based on the three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction

Palpation of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) is important for the diagnosis and treatment of neck and chest conditions. However, the spinous process of C7 (C7-SP) displays an anatomical deviation among individuals. The present study aimed to clarify anatomic characteristics of C7-SP by using a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic (CT) reconstruction technique. A total of 245 subjects meeting the selection criteria were examined. After CT scanning, the images were reconstructed in 3D. All subjects were grouped according to their deviation of C7-SP: Deviating to the right (DR group), deviating to the left (DL group) and no deviation (ND group). Three distances and three angles were recorded on C7-SP. The vertical distances between the borders of the left and right transverse processes and the tip of the SP, were termed DLTS and DRTS, respectively. The length of the SP was also determined. The angle of the SP deviation was referred to as ∠α, the angle between the SP axis and the line crossing the tips of the transverse processes was referred to as ∠β and the angle between the vertebral body axis and the SP axis was referred to as ∠γ. Among the three groups, differences in ∠α and ∠β were statistically significant (P<0.05). Furthermore, the DLTS was significantly different between the DL and ND groups (P<0.05). In addition, a significant difference in the DRTS was identified between the DR and ND groups (P<0.05). 3D CT reconstruction was reliable for studying anatomic characteristics of C7-SP. Based on this, patients may be preliminarily grouped according to the deviation of their C7-SP and the measurement of the C7-SP may guide clinical diagnoses and treatments.