BASIC anatomy of the spine

The basic bony structure of a vertebra

From the posterior vertebral body, emerges two pedicles.

The lamina joins the pedicles.
All together the pedicles and lamina form the neural arch which encloses the
vertebral foramen and contains the spinal cord.

Pedicle
Lamina
Body

Vertebral foramen

Pedicle
Figure 1. Basic components of a vertebra

The spinous process emerges posteriorly from the lamina.

A transverse process emerges from each pedicle.

Transverse process

Spinous Process

Transverse process

Figure 2. Basic components of a vertebra with processes

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Facet joints and the intervertebral foramen

If viewed from the side, each vertebra unfused vertebra has an inferior
facet joint, which articulates with a superior facet joint from the
vertebra below.
A opening called an intervertebral foramen is formed near the facet
joints.
Nerves exit and enter through these intervertebral foramen on either
side.

Intervertebral foramen
Inferior facet joint

Pedicle

Superior facet joint

Body

Transverse process

Lamina

Spinous process

Figure 3. Lateral view, A complete model of a vertebra

The area between the lamina and the pedicle is called the pars
interarticularis. It is highly susceptible to fracture.

The intervertebral disc

Between each unfused vertebra is an intevertebral disk.

The annulus fibrosis is strong and made from fibrocartilage.
The nucleus pulposus contains a gelatinous pulp, which allows vertebral
compression.
If the pulp leaks through the annulus fibrosus it is called a herniated disk.
C1 (the Atlas) and C2 (the Axis) have no disk between them.

Annulus fibrosus

Nucleus pulposus

Figure 5. Lateral view of an intervertebral disc

Ligaments of the vertebra

Various ligaments provide passive support to the vertebra. It is easy to remember

these from front to back.

Key:

4
&
5

1. Anterior longitudinal ligament

2. Posterior longitudinal ligament
3. Ligamentum flavum
4. Supraspinous ligament
5. Interspinous ligament
6. Intertransverse ligament

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Figure 4. Understanding vertebral ligaments, front to back
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Looking at the whole spine

Spinal curvatures

The spine has 3 normal spinal curves.

Number of
vertebrae

Type of curve

Region name

Lordotic

Cervical/neck

12

Kyphotic

Thoracic/upper back

Lordotic

Lumbar/lower back
Sacral/pelvic vertebra

5
4 or 5

Coccyx/Tailbone

Figure 6. The normal spinal curvatures

There are a total of 33 or 34 vertebrae

There are 24 unfused vertebrae.
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