Vertebral Column Bones & Markings

Vertebral Body

Vertebral arch

Vertebral foramen

Spinous process

Transverse process

Cervical vertebrae

Thoracic vertebrae

Lumbar vertebrae

Atlas (C1)

Axis (C2)

Dens process

Sacrum

Coccyx (tailbone)

Cervical curvature

Posterior curve that forms around 4 months of age

Thoracic curvature

Anterior curve that is present at birth

Lumbar curvature

Posterior curve that forms around 1 year of age

Sacral/pelvic curvature

Anterior curve present at birth

Scoliosis

Lateral (sideways) curvature

Lordosis (swayback)

Exaggerated lumbar curvature

Kyphosis (hunchback)

Exaggerated thoracic curvature

intervertebral disks

Fibrocartilage pads between the vertebrae

Herniated disk

rupture of the outer layer of a disk that puts pressure on spinal nerves

Transverse foramen

Only found in the cervical vertebrae

pedicle

lamina