Which type of vertebra is characterized by a small vertebral body and transverse foramen?

Cervical vertebrae are uniquely characterized by their small vertebral bodies and the presence of transverse foramina. The transverse foramina are openings in the transverse processes of these vertebrae, which allow for the passage of the vertebral arteries and veins, essential for supplying blood to the brain. This anatomical feature distinguishes cervical vertebrae from thoracic, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae.

Thoracic vertebrae, in contrast, have larger vertebral bodies and are adapted for rib articulation, which is not a characteristic shared with cervical vertebrae. Lumbar vertebrae are even larger as they support more weight and lack transverse foramina. Sacral vertebrae are fused together and form the sacrum, which also does not display the small body structure or transverse foramina present in cervical vertebrae. Therefore, the identifying characteristics of cervical vertebrae make them the correct answer to this question.