The Vertebral Column
• Extends from skull
(supports the skull) to the
pelvis (distributes weight to
lower limbs)
• Five sections: cervical,
thoracic, lumbar, sacrum,
coccyx
• Born with 33 vertebrae, but
nine fuse into two bones
(sacrum and coccyx)
• Vertebrae separated by
intervertebral discs
• Body/Centrum – disc-like part facing anteriorly
• Vertebral arch – formed by joining of all posterior
extensions of vertebra
• Vertebral foramen – opening which spinal cord passes
• Transverse processes – two lateral projections from
arch
• Spinous process – projection from posterior of arch
• Articular processes – superior and inferior projections
lateral to foramen that articulate with above vertebra
• 7 vertebrae (identified as C1 to C7)
– First two vertebrae are Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2)
• Allow for the movement/rotation of skull
• Do not have a body
• Atlas articulates with the occipital condyles of
the skull
– C3 through C7 are remaining cervical vertebrae
• Smallest vertebrae
• Contain transverse foramen
• Spinous processes usually split in middle
• 12 vertebrae (identified as T1 to T12)
– Connected with ribs
– Typical shape, slightly modified for ribs
• Includes costal facets to articulate with ribs in
posterior
• Spinous process long, pointed down
• 5 vertebrae (identified as L1 to L5)
– Bulkier shape
– Hatchet-shaped spinous processes
– Receives most of stress on vertebral column
• Sacrum is inferior to the L5 vertebra and
superior to the coccyx
– Formed from the fusion of five vertebrae
– Alae are winglike projections that articulate
laterally with the hip bones
– Forms posterior wall of pelvis
– Includes median sacral crest and dorsal sacral
foramina
• Coccyx is inferior to sacrum
– Formed from fusion of three to five tiny vertebrae
– Commonly called the “tailbone”