Typical lumbar vertebra

crop osteopath examining back of anonymous woman in doctor office
  • Body is large and kidney shaped
  • Pedicles strong and directed backward
  • Laminae thick
  • Triangular vertebral foramen
  • Long slender transverse processes
  • Spinous process – short, flat, quadrangular and point backward
  • Articular surface of superior articular process – face medially, inferior articular processes face laterally