The laterally projecting transverse processes are delicate and contain the transverse foramen. The ventral portion of the transverse process, ending in the small anterior tubercle, is the costal process. The posterior portion of this landmark is the true transverse process. It terminates as the posterior tubercle. This process provides attachment to many muscles.

Process is a term used in anatomy to describe a projection on a bone. It comes from the Latin pro- meaning forward and cessus for gone. It is an old term that can be traced back to the writings of the early anatomist Celsus.

Processus transversus vertebrae