The Eye of the Scotty dog corresponds to which vertebral structure?

• A. Inferior articular process
• B. Superior articular process
• C. Transverse process
• D. Pedicle

Answer: (D)

The Eye of the Scotty dog is the pars interarticularis. On oblique lumbar spine radiographs, the pars interarticularis—located between the superior and inferior articular processes—forms the “eye” of the Scotty dog. This is the area where stress fractures, known as spondylolysis, commonly occur, which is why this feature is clinically important. The pedicle, by contrast, is a different part of the vertebra that lies more anteriorly and contributes to the neck of the Scotty dog, not the eye. The nose is the transverse process, and the ear is the superior articular process, which helps explain the overall dog anatomy seen in these views.