1

Features Cervical (3-6) Thoracic (2-8) Lumbar (1-4)

Identification By the presence of foramina transversaria

By the presence of costal facets on lateral surfaces of the vertebral bodies (1 or 2 on each side)

1. By the absence of foramina transversaria and costal facets on body

2. By its large size

Body

Shape

Small (oval shaped), broader from side to side than anteroposteriorly

Heart-shaped with roughly same measurement from side to side & anteroposteriorly

1. Large (kidney shaped)

2. Wider from side to side than anteroposteriorly

3. Height of body is slightly greater anteriorly than posteriorly

Superior

1. Transversely concave

2. Has upward projecting lips on each side

3. Anterior border may be beveled

Inferior

1. Saddle-shaped (convex laterally & concave anteroposteriorly)

2. Lateral borders are beveled & form synovial joints with projecting lips of next lower vertebra

3. Anterior border projects downwards & may hide the intervertebral disc

Lateral

On each side, it bears 2 costal demifacets. Superior costal demifacet is larger, placed on upper border of body near pedicle, and articulates with numerically corresponding rib. Inferior costal demifacet is smaller, placed on lower border of body in front of inferior vertebral notch, and articulates with next lower rib.

Vertebral arch

Pedicles Directed backwards & laterally

Directed straight backwards

1. Short2. Strong3. Projected

backwards from upper part of body

Laminae 1. Relatively long & narrow

2. Thinner above than below

Overlap each other from above

1. Short, thick & broad

2. Directed backwards & medially

Garaka Rabel

2

3. Overlapping of adjoining vertebrae is minimum

Processes

Transverse Processes

1. Pierced by foramina transversaria

2. Each process has anterior & posterior roots which end in tubercles joined by costotransverse bar

Large, directed laterally & backwards. Anterior surface bears a facet near its tip, to articulate with tubercle of corresponding rib. In upper 6 vertebrae, these costal facets are concave & face forwards & laterally, while in lower 6 vertebrae, they are flat & face upwards, laterally & slightly forwards

1. Thin & tapering2. Directed laterally

& slightly backwards

3. Homologous with ribs in thoracic region

4. Accessory process is a small, rough elevation in posteroinferior aspect of the root of transverse process, which represents true transverse process of vertebra

5. Length increases from L1 to L3 & thereafter it decreases

Spinous Process (Spine)

1. Short2. Bifid3. Notch is filled by

ligamentum nuchae

Long, directed downwards & backwards. 5 to 9 spines are the longest, more vertical & overlap each other & lower spines are less oblique

1. Forms a vertical quadrilateral plate

2. Directed almost backwards & only slightly downwards

3. Thickened along its posterior & inferior borders

Superior Articular Processes

1. Form articular pillars, projected laterally

2. Articular facets are flat

3. Facets are directed backwards & upwards

Project upwards from the junction of pedicles and laminae.Articular facets are flat & directed backwards, little laterally & upwards.

1. Lie farther apart than inferior

2. Bear concave facets facing medially & backwards

3. Posterior border is marked by a rough elevation called mamillary process

Inferior Articular Processes

1. Form articular pillars, projected laterally

2. Articular facets are flat

3. Facets are directed forwards & downwards

Fused to the laminae.Articular facets are directed forwards, slightly downwards & medially.

1. Lie nearer to each other, than superior

2. Bear convex facets facing laterally & forwards

Vertebral Foramen

1. Larger than body2. Triangular in shape

(as pedicles are directed backwards & laterally)

Comparatively small & circular

1. Triangular in shape

2. Larger than in thoracic region, but smaller than in cervical region

Vertebral Superior Superior & inferior Shallow Inferior vertebral

Garaka Rabel

3

Notches

Vertebral Notch

vertebral notches are of equal size

notches are much deeper than the superior vertebral notches

Inferior Vertebral

NotchDeep & conspicuous

Attachments

Muscles

1. Vertical part of longus coli is attached to anterior surface (on each side of anterior longitudinal ligament)

2. Scalenus anterior3. Longus capitis4. Oblique part of

longus coli5. Scalenus medius6. Scalenus posterior

levator scapulae7. Splenius cervicis8. Longissimus

cervicis9. Iliocostalis cervicis10. Interspinales11. Semispinalis

thoracis & cervicis12. Spinalis

cervicis13. multifidus

In transverse process :1. Intertransverse

muscles – to upper & lower borders

2. Levator costae – on posterior surface

In spinous process :1. Trapezius2. Rhomboideus3. Latissimus dorsi4. Serratus posterior

superior5. Serratus posterior

inferior(and many deep muscles of back)

1. Right crus – upper 3 vertebrae

2. Left crus – upper 2 vertebrae

3. Psoas major – upper & lower borders of all lumber vertebrae (behind line of crura)

Ligament

In transverse process :1. Lateral

costotransverse ligament – at tip

2. Superior costotransverse ligament – along lower border

3. Inferior costotransverse ligament – along anterior surface

In spinous process :1. Supraspinous

ligament2. Infraspinous

ligament

Garaka Rabel