The typical cervical vertebrae include the third through fifth cervical vertebrae (C3 - C5). They are characterized mainly by their small size, triangular-shaped vertebral foramina, anterior tubercle and posterior tubercle and the presence of a transverse foramen in each transverse process. Their spinous processes are typically short and bifid.

On the superior surface of the transverse processes pass the spinal nerves. Therefore, the transverse process of the cervical vertebra appears grooved and contains a groove for spinal nerve.
Anterior and posterior to the groove are two eminences known as the anterior tubercle and posterior tubercle. Both tubercles serve as the attachment sites for muscles, such as the longus capitis muscle and levator scapulae muscle.
The transverse foramen within the transverse process is formed by the fusion of the transverse process and rudimentary rib. It transmits the vertebral artery, vertebral vein and sympathetic fibers from the lower cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunk.
The superior articular process and inferior articular process fuse, and throughout the cervical spine, they form a structure known as the articular pillar.
The typical cervical vertebrae and the lower two atypical cervical vertebrae (C6 and C7) present with two processes on the superior aspects on each lateral side of the vertebral bodies. These processes are called the uncinate processes. They are bony projections that form medial aspects of the intervertebral foramina and uncovertebral joints (Luschka joints) with the bodies of the vertebrae above.

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Typical cervical vertebrae (C3-C5)