Bones of Vertebral Column

Vertebral Column

  • Consists of five parts:
    • Cervical vertebrae: CI-CVII
    • Thoracic vertebrae: TI-TXII
    • Lumbar vertebra: LI-LV
    • Sacrum: 5 fused sacral vertebrae
    • Coccyx

General Features of Vertebrae

  • Vertebra comprised of vertebral body, vertebral arch, and vertebral processes.
  • Vertebral body is directed forwards.
  • Arch located behind vertebral body, connected by pedicles.
  • Vertebral foramen between body and arch; vertebral canal formed by foramina.
  • Seven processes on vertebral arch:
    • Spinous process (backwards)
    • Transverse processes (right and left)
    • Superior and inferior articular processes (upwards and downwards)
    • Articular facet on articular processes
  • Superior and inferior vertebral notches form intervertebral foramen when vertebrae articulate.

Cervical Vertebrae Specifics

  • Foramen transversarium on transverse process with anterior and posterior tubercles.
  • Spinous process is bifurcated.

Atlas (CI)

  • No body, notches, spinous, or articular process.
  • Two arches: anterior and posterior.
    • Anterior arch: anterior tubercle and facet for dens.
    • Posterior arch: posterior tubercle and groove for vertebral artery.
  • Lateral masses with superior and inferior articular surfaces.

Axis (CII)

  • Dens (tooth-like process) with anterior and posterior articular facets.

Thoracic Vertebrae

  • Superior and inferior costal facets for rib articulation.
  • Transverse costal facet on transverse processes.
  • Spinous process tilted downwards.

Lumbar Vertebrae

  • Accessory process, costal process, and mammillary process present.