- Body is medium size and heart shaped
- Small and circular vertebral foramen
- Long spine that is inclined downward
- Costal facets on side of body for articulation with head of ribs
- Costal facets on transverse process to articulate with rib tubercle
- Superior articular process has facets that face backward and laterally, inferior process forward and medially. Exception 12th vertebra – inferior process face laterally