Try out our special, customizable, quiz to test your knowledge about the bones of the spine! Vertebrae also differ in the appearance of their processes and other anatomical features. This is because the lumbar vertebrae bear much more weight than the cervical. For example, cervical vertebrae have the widest vertebral foramen and the smallest bodies, while lumbar vertebrae have the largest bodies and a very narrow vertebral canal. Notches of adjacent vertebrae bound the intervertebral foramen, providing an outlet for the spinal nerves and vessels.Īlthough having the same parts, the vertebral groups are distinct from each other in terms of their appearance. The superior and inferior margins of each pedicle are convex toward its midline, forming superior and inferior vertebral notches.

The arch is connected to the body by bony pedicles, together these structures bound the vertebral foramen. The vertebral body is the main weight bearing structure of the spine, while the arch and processes provide numerous muscle and ligament attachment points. Five sacral and 3-5 coccygeal vertebrae are fused into the sacrum and coccyx bones, respectively.Įach typical vertebra consists of a body, an arch and three processes that stem from the arch (spinous, transverse and articular). There are 33 vertebrae in total seven cervical vertebrae in the neck, twelve thoracic vertebrae in the torso and five lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. Vertebrae are the structural constituents of the spine. Protection of the spinal cord, absorption of mechanical force, maintains the posture of the body and head, coordination of limbs movements, assists respiration Vertebral, ascending cervical, occipital, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, lateral sacral, deep cervical arteries and veins Posterior rami of the spinal nerves, intercostal nerves, cervical plexus, brachial plexus, accessory nerve (CN XI) Intervertebral discs, zygapophyseal joints

Vertebral column: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (sacrum), 3-5 coccygeal (coccyx) vertebrae But we at Kenhub have a different approach, so in this page we’ve covered the back anatomy in an easy to understand mode for you.

The back functions are many, such as to house and protect the spinal cord, hold the body and head upright, and adjust the movements of the upper and lower limbs.īy the way, have you heard about the myth of Sisyphus, a guy being forced to eternally roll an enormous rock up a hill only for it to roll down when it nears the top? Many would compare anatomy studying to his struggle. It comprises the vertebral column (spine) and two compartments of back muscles extrinsic and intrinsic. The back is the body region between the neck and the gluteal regions.

Nerve study on back