General Characteristics of a Vertebra

 Consists of:
o rounded body anteriorly
o vertebral arch posteriorly
 consists of
 cylindrical pedicles – notched on their upper and
lower borders; forms superior and inferior
vertebral notch.
 flattened laminae
 gives rise to seven processes
 1 spinous process – directed posteriorly from
junction of two laminae
 2 transverse processes – directed laterally from
the junction of the laminae and pedicles
 4 articular processes – vertically arranged and
consist of two superior and two inferior
processes (forms two synovial joints)
 enclosed in space called vertebral foramen
Thoracic Vertebra
 Body – medium-sized and heart-shaped
 Vertebral foramen – small and circular
 Spines – long and inclined downward
 Costal facets
o present on the side of the body (Superior & Inferior Demi
facets)
o present on the transverse process for articulation w/
tubercles of ribs; except T11 and T12
 Surfaces of the Articular Processes
o Superior A.P – backward and laterally
o Inferior A.P – forward and medially
Lumbar Vertebra
 Body – large and kidney shaped
 Vertebral foramina – triangular
  Spinous process – short, flat, and quadrangular and project
backward
 Laminae – thick
 Transverse process – long and slender
 Pedicles – strong and directed backward
 Surfaces of the Articular Processes
o Superior A.P – medially
o Inferior A.P – laterally
Sacrum
 5 vertebrae fused together form wedge-shaped bone – concave
anteriorly
 Anterior and Upper Margin of S1 bulges forward – posterior margin
of pelvic inlet/sacral promontory
 Vertebral foramina – present forms sacral canal
 Anterior and Posterior Surfaces have 4 foramina each side for the
passage of anterior and posterior rami of the upper four sacral
nerves.
Coccyx
 Tail bone
 Four vertebrae – forms a single, small, triangular bone
JOINT:
 Zygapophyseal joint / apophyseal - between the superior
articular processes of one vertebra and the inferior articular
processes of an adjacent vertebra above.

LIGAMENTS
 Anterior Longitudinal Ligaments
o Continuous bands from axis to sacrum
o Strongly attached to the front and sides of vertebral body
and IVD
o Lumbar and Thoracic – well developed
o Limits extension
 Posterior Longitudinal Ligaments
 o Continuous bands from axis to sacrum
o Weak and narrow and attached to the posterior borders of
the IVD
o Limits flexion
 Supraspinous Ligament – between tips of adjacent spine
o Limits flexion
o Region: Thoracic and Lumbar
 Interspinous Ligament – connects adjacent spine
o Limits flexion
o Region: Primarily lumbar
 Intertransverse Ligament – between adjacent transverse process
o Limits lateral flexion
o Region: Primarily lumbar
 Ligamentum Flavum – connects laminae of adjacent vertebrae
o Limits flexion; especially lumbar.
o Region: Axis to Sacrum
THORACIC REGION
Movement:
 Flexion
o