Cranial articular process

The cranial articular process of the vertebrae is part of the articular processes, two cranial and two caudal, which arise from the junctions between the pedicles and the laminae of the vertebral arch.

The cranial processes project forward, and their articular surfaces are oriented more or less craniodorsally; the caudal processes project backward, and their surfaces are oriented more or less ventrocaudally. The articular surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilage.