Which cervical vertebra is most commonly visualized in a lateral radiograph as the lowest visible vertebra?

C7 is commonly visualized as the lowest visible vertebra in a lateral radiograph of the cervical spine due to its unique anatomical position and characteristics. The cervical spine typically extends from C1 to C7, with C7 being the most inferior vertebra of the cervical region.

In a lateral radiograph, C7 is often the last vertebra clearly visualized because it lies at the transition between the cervical spine and the thoracic spine, where the vertebrae become progressively larger and may obscure lower cervical vertebrae on the image. Additionally, the spinous process of C7 is more prominent and easily identifiable, aiding in its visualization. This prominence often makes it a reliable landmark in radiographic assessments, which further emphasizes its common appearance in imaging studies.

In contrast, while other cervical vertebrae can be visualized, they may not be as consistently recognizable as C7 in a lateral view due to their positioning, anatomy, and overlapping structures in the lower cervical spine.