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VERTEBRA ANATOMY

Author: Dr. Bogdan Leahu
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Vertebra anatomy 360-degree interactive viewer showing vertebral body, arch, foramen, spinous process, transverse process, and articular processes
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

What are vertebrae?

  • Vertebrae are individual bones that stack to form your spine
  • Provide structural support, protect your spinal cord, and enable movement in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions
  • In the sacrum and coccyx, vertebrae fuse to form stationary bones

What are the main parts of a vertebra?

  • Each vertebra consists of a body, an arch, and multiple processes

INTERVERTEBRAL FORAMEN

Intervertebral foramen 360-degree viewer showing opening between adjacent vertebrae formed by superior and inferior vertebral notches
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Intervertebral Foramen

What is the intervertebral foramen?

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

Superior Vertebral Notch

What is the superior vertebral notch?

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

Inferior Vertebral Notch

What is the 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 360-degree viewer showing central opening, spinous process, transverse processes, and articular processes
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Vertebral Foramen

What is the vertebral foramen?

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

Spinous Process

What is the spinous process?

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

Transverse Process

What is the transverse process?

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

Articular Processes

What are the articular processes?

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

What is the superior articular process?

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

What is the 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

Vertebral body 360-degree viewer showing anterior weight-bearing portion, intervertebral surfaces, annular epiphysis, and vertebral arch
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What is the 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 your body weight
  • Functions:
    • Provides support for your vertebral column
    • Connects with intervertebral discs to absorb mechanical stress

Intervertebral Surface

What is the 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 your spine

Annular Epiphysis

What is the 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 your vertebral column

VERTEBRAL ARCH

Vertebral arch anatomy showing pedicles connecting vertebral body to laminae, with spinous and transverse processes extending from the arch
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What is the vertebral arch?

  • The vertebral arch forms the posterior part of the vertebra
  • Surrounds and protects your 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

What are the 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

What are the laminae?

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

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.