VERTEBRA ANATOMY

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Vertebrae are individual bones that stack to form the spine
• Provide structural support, protect the spinal cord, and enable movement in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions
• In the sacrum and coccyx, vertebrae fuse to form stationary bones
• Each vertebra consists of a body, an arch, and multiple processes

INTERVERTEBRAL FORAMEN

Intervertebral Foramen

• Opening between adjacent vertebrae
• Formed by alignment of superior and inferior vertebral notches
• Allows spinal nerves to pass, connecting the spinal cord to the body

Superior Vertebral Notch

• Indentation in the pedicle
• Aligns with the inferior notch of the adjacent vertebra to form the intervertebral foramen

Inferior Vertebral Notch

• Indentation in the pedicle
• Aligns with the superior notch of the adjacent vertebra to form the intervertebral foramen

VERTEBRAL FORAMEN AND PROCESSES

Vertebral Foramen

• Large central opening within each vertebra
• Accommodates and protects the spinal cord
• Forms part of the vertebral canal

Spinous Process

• Bony projection extending backward from the junction of the laminae
• Visible from the posterior aspect
• Serves as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments

Transverse Process

• Lateral projection extending from the junction of the pedicle and lamina
• Visible from the side of the vertebra
• Provides attachment points for muscles and ligaments
• Supports vertebral movement and stability

Articular Processes

• Each vertebra has two superior and two inferior articular processes
• Functions:
  • Allow controlled movement between vertebrae
  • Provide stability to the vertebral column

Superior Articular Process

• Upward-facing joint surface located posteriorly on the vertebra
• Superior Articular Facet — smooth, flat surface of the superior articular process

Inferior Articular Process

• Downward-facing joint surface located on the posterior part of the vertebra
• Inferior Articular Facet (Facies articularis caudalis) — smooth, flat surface of the inferior articular process

VERTEBRAL BODY

• The vertebral body forms the anterior, weight-bearing portion of most vertebrae
• Increases in size from the cervical to lumbar regions to accommodate greater loads
• Ensures proper support and distribution of weight
• Functions:
  • Provides support for the vertebral column
  • Connects with intervertebral discs to absorb mechanical stress

Intervertebral Surface

• Flattened upper and lower surfaces of the vertebral body
• Interfaces directly with adjacent vertebrae
• Provides attachment for intervertebral discs
• Supports stability and flexibility of the spine

Annular Epiphysis

• Ring-like structure around the margins of the vertebral body (top and bottom surfaces)
• Functions:
  • Connects vertebrae to intervertebral discs
  • Supports the overall structure of the vertebral column

VERTEBRAL ARCH

• The vertebral arch forms the posterior part of the vertebra
• Surrounds and protects the spinal cord
• Consists of two main components: the pedicles and laminae
• Serves as an attachment point for various processes:
  • Articular processes for connecting adjacent vertebrae
  • Transverse processes for muscle and ligament attachment

Pedicles

• Short, thick projections that connect the vertebral body to the vertebral arch
• Referred to as the roots of the vertebral arch
• Extend backward from the vertebral body at the junctions of its lateral and posterior surfaces

Laminae

• Flat or arched portions of the vertebral arch
• Connect transverse processes to the spinous process
• Form the posterior boundary of the vertebral foramen