Proper evaluation of the cervical segment of the vertebral column requires a thorough knowledge of the anatomical variations of the cervical vertebrae in all projections (4). Oblique roentgenograms frequently demonstrate curvilinear “railroad track” osseous structures projecting across the intervertebral foramina (Fig. 1). Because a survey of routine roentgenograms and a review of the radiological literature did not disclose the origin of these structures, an anatomic study was undertaken for their identification. Material and Methods One hundred and ninety-six cervical vertebral column segments from the Terry Skeletal Collection were studied. These skeletons, chosen at random, were from 54 Negro males, 44 Negro females, 51 white males, and 47 white females. All were from adults ranging in age from twenty to one hundred and two years. The cervical vertebrae and the first two or three thoracic vertebrae of each skeleton were held in articulation by snugly packing large pieces of cotton through the vertebral canal. The cotton facilitated the proper spacing between vertebral bodies, thus simulating the intervertebral disk spaces as well as the normal cervical segment curvature. Different parts of the cervical vertebrae were coated with barium paste and then correlated with their oblique roentgenograms. The latter were taken in the right posterior oblique position with approximately 50 to 55 degrees of rotation. Cardboard cassettes were used, and technical factors of 70 kv, 50 ma, and two seconds at a 40-in. target-to-film-distance were commonly employed. Results The unknown curvilinear “railroad track” osseous structures were identified as different parts of the transverse processes. Figure 2 demonstrates the different elements of transverse processes as they are projected across intervertebral foramina. The transverse processes were subjectively divided into small, medium, and large groups. In 61 per cent of the skeletonized segments, the processes were either not identified on the oblique roentgenograms or did not project across the intervertebral foramina, and upon direct examination all of these were small. Medium-size transverse processes were subjectively identified in 33 per cent of the skeletons. In approximately 78 per cent of these medium-size segments, a portion of one or more transverse processes projected across intervertebral foramina. All female skeletons had either small- or medium-size transverse processes. The remaining 6 per cent of cervical vertebral segments had large transverse processes which projected completely across two or three consecutive intervertebral foramina. These processes were identified in 8 white and 3 Negro male skeletons. The number of segments with small, medium, or large transverse processes are related to sex and race in Figure 3.