Dalley, 10th Edition

Processes:

Spinous Mammillary Accessory Transverse

Lamina

Articular facet

Vertebral foramen

Pedicle

Lamina

Medial orientation of superior articular facets

Inferior articular process

Vertebral body

Superior articular process

(A) Superior view

(B) Posterior view

2

Spinous and inferior articular processes of superior vertebra Transverse process Pars interarticularis

Zygapophysial (facet) joint

Superior articular process of inferior vertebra

*

Intervertebral foramen

Intervertebral disc space (radiological “joint space”)

Red line indicates plane of section for C

*

(D) Lateral view

(C) CT scan

Key for E and F

IV

DS

DS F

Disc space Zygapophysial (facet) joint Inferior articular process Intervertebral foramen Pedicle Superior articular process Spinous process

F

P

L1

IA IV P

SP

DS

IV

SA SP

IA SA

L2

P

SP

IV

DS

L1

L1

Lamina

(F) Lateral radiograph

L2

Zygapophysial (facet) joint

Superior articular process

Inferior articular process

L3

Zygapophysial (facet) join

Zygapophysial (facet) joint Pedicle

Inferior articular process

L4

Inter vertebral foramen

DS

Iliac crest

Superior articular process L4 spinous process

L5

DS

L5

Sacral promontory

(E) Lateral radiograph

(G) Anteroposterior radiograph

FIGURE 2.11. Lumbar vertebrae. A and B. Isolated lumbar vertebrae. C. CT scan of lumbar vertebra in situ. D–G. Articulated typical lumbar vertebrae. E. Lateral radiograph of lumbar vertebrae. The wedge shape of the lumbar vertebrae and especially the lumbar IV disc spaces are evident. In lateral radiographs, the vertebral canal is primarily evident in the radiolucency of the IV foramina. F. Closer view of lateral radiograph. ( Letters refer to structures labeled in A–D ). G. Anteroposterior radiograph. The vertebral canal is visible as a columnar shadow (between arrowheads for inferior articular process). Copyright © 2027 Wolters Kluwer. Unauthorized reproduction of the article is prohibited.

TABLE 2.4. LUMBAR VERTEBRAE Part

Characteristics

Vertebral body

Massive; kidney shaped when viewed superiorly

Vertebral foramen

Triangular; larger than in thoracic vertebrae and smaller than in cervical vertebrae

Transverse processes

Long and slender; accessory process on posterior surface of the base of each process

Articular processes

Nearly vertical facets; superior facets directed posteromedially (or medially); inferior facets directed anterolaterally (or laterally); mammillary process on posterior surface of each superior articular process

Spinous processes

Short and sturdy; thick, broad, and hatchet shaped