1. 1
Features Cervical (3-6) Thoracic (2-8) Lumbar (1-4)
1. By the absence of
By the presence of costal facets
foramina transversaria
By the presence of foramina on lateral surfaces of the
Identification transversaria vertebral bodies (1 or 2 on each
and costal facets on
body
side)
2. By its large size
1. Large (kidney shaped)
2. Wider from side to side
Small (oval shaped), broader Heart-shaped with roughly than anteroposteriorly
Shape from side to side than same measurement from side 3. Height of body is
anteroposteriorly to side & anteroposteriorly slightly greater
anteriorly than
posteriorly
1. Transversely concave
2. Has upward projecting
Superior lips on each side
3. Anterior border may be
beveled
1. Saddle-shaped (convex
laterally & concave
anteroposteriorly)
2. Lateral borders are
Body beveled & form synovial
Inferior joints with projecting lips
of next lower vertebra
3. Anterior border projects
downwards & may hide
the intervertebral disc
On each side, it bears 2 costal
demifacets. Superior costal
demifacet is larger, placed on
upper border of body near
pedicle, and articulates with
Lateral numerically corresponding rib.
Inferior costal demifacet is
smaller, placed on lower border
of body in front of inferior
vertebral notch, and articulates
with next lower rib.
1. Short
2. Strong
Directed backwards &
Pedicles laterally
Directed straight backwards 3. Projected backwards
from upper part of
body
Vertebral 1. Short, thick & broad
arch 2. Directed backwards &
1. Relatively long & narrow medially
Laminae 2. Thinner above than Overlap each other from above
3. Overlapping of
below
adjoining vertebrae is
minimum
Garaka Rabel

2. 2
1. Thin & tapering
2. Directed laterally &
slightly backwards
Large, directed laterally & 3. Homologous with ribs
backwards. Anterior surface in thoracic region
bears a facet near its tip, to
1. Pierced by foramina
articulate with tubercle of 4. Accessory process is a
transversaria small, rough elevation
corresponding rib. In upper 6
Transverse 2. Each process has anterior in posteroinferior
vertebrae, these costal facets
Processes & posterior roots which
are concave & face forwards & aspect of the root of
end in tubercles joined by transverse process,
laterally, while in lower 6
costotransverse bar which represents true
vertebrae, they are flat & face
upwards, laterally & slightly transverse process of
forwards vertebra
5. Length increases from
L1 to L3 & thereafter it
decreases
1. Forms a vertical
quadrilateral plate
Long, directed downwards &
1. Short 2. Directed almost
Processes Spinous Process 2. Bifid
backwards. 5 to 9 spines are the
backwards & only
longest, more vertical &
(Spine) 3. Notch is filled by
overlap each other & lower
slightly downwards
ligamentum nuchae 3. Thickened along its
spines are less oblique
posterior & inferior
borders
1. Lie farther apart than
inferior
Project upwards from the
1. Form articular pillars, junction of pedicles and 2. Bear concave facets
Superior Articular projected laterally laminae. facing medially &
2. Articular facets are flat backwards
Processes 3. Facets are directed
Articular facets are flat &
3. Posterior border is
directed backwards, little
backwards & upwards laterally & upwards. marked by a rough
elevation called
mamillary process
1. Form articular pillars, 1. Lie nearer to each
Fused to the laminae.
projected laterally other, than superior
Inferior Articular Articular facets are directed
2. Articular facets are flat 2. Bear convex facets
Processes forwards, slightly downwards &
3. Facets are directed facing laterally &
medially.
forwards & downwards forwards
1. Larger than body 1. Triangular in shape
2. Triangular in shape (as 2. Larger than in thoracic
Vertebral Foramen Comparatively small & circular
region, but smaller than
pedicles are directed
backwards & laterally) in cervical region
Superior Vertebral Shallow
Notch Inferior vertebral notches
Vertebral Superior & inferior vertebral
are much deeper than the
Notches Inferior Vertebral notches are of equal size Deep & conspicuous
superior vertebral notches
Notch
Garaka Rabel

3. 3
1. Vertical part of longus
coli is attached to
anterior surface (on each
side of anterior In transverse process :
longitudinal ligament) 1. Intertransverse muscles –
2. Scalenus anterior to upper & lower borders
3. Longus capitis 1. Right crus – upper 3
2. Levator costae – on
4. Oblique part of longus vertebrae
posterior surface
coli 2. Left crus – upper 2
In spinous process :
5. Scalenus medius vertebrae
Muscles 1. Trapezius
3. Psoas major – upper &
6. Scalenus posterior 2. Rhomboideus
levator scapulae lower borders of all
3. Latissimus dorsi
7. Splenius cervicis lumber vertebrae
4. Serratus posterior superior
8. Longissimus cervicis (behind line of crura)
5. Serratus posterior inferior
9. Iliocostalis cervicis (and many deep muscles of
10. Interspinales
Attachments 11. Semispinalis thoracis &
back)
cervicis
12. Spinalis cervicis
13. multifidus
In transverse process :
1. Lateral costotransverse
ligament – at tip
2. Superior costotransverse
ligament – along lower
border
Ligament 3. Inferior costotransverse
ligament – along anterior
surface
In spinous process :
1. Supraspinous ligament
2. Infraspinous ligament
Garaka Rabel