Lumbar Vertebra Posterior

In human anatomy the lumbar vertebrae are the five vertebrae between the ribs and the pelvis. Each one has general characteristic and some of these five vertebrae have unique characteristics. The functions of the lumbar vertebrae are to help support the weight of the body and to permit movement.

Anterior|Posterior

Parietal Bone Occipital Bone Atlas Cervical Vertebrae Posterior Pelvis Posterior Tibia Posterior Scapula Posterior Thoracic Vertebra Fibula Posterior Rib Lumbar Vertebra Posterior Calcaneus Femur Posterior

Lumbar Vertebra Posterior

General Characteristics:

Body
Arch
Processes

As with other vertebrae, each lumbar vertebrae consists of a vertebral body and a vertebral arch. The vertebral arch, consisting of a pair of pedicles and a pair of laminae, enclosing the vertebral foramen (opening) and supports seven processes.

Special Characteristics:

L1 - L5 absence of a foramen transversarium (an opening in the transverse process found only in cervical vertebrae)
L1 - L5 absence of the facets on the side of the body.

The foramen transversarium (found only in the cervical vertebrae) allows for the passage of the vertebral artery and the vertebral vein and the sympathetic nerve plexus. Some people have only 4 lumbar vertebrae and can have up to 6.

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