deeper, broader and stronger than in superior vertebrae
kidney-shaped from superior aspect
no articular costal facets on lateral margins
vertebral foramen:
triangular
larger than thoracic foramina, smaller than cervical foramina
transverse process:
base is termed the lateral tubercle
a small tubercle, the accessory process, projects posteriorly from lateral tubercle
with progression down spine, sequential transverse processes become displaced anteriorly from a junction with only pedicle to junction with only body
project posterolaterally
increase in length to L3 and then decrease again
superior articulating process:
project vertically up from the pedicle-lamina junction
plane of surface directed posteromedially
articulating surface concave
at posterolateral edge is rounded mamillary process
inferior articulating surface:
at junction of lamina and pedicle projecting vertically
articulating surface is convex
plane of articulating surface faces anterolaterally
with sequential vertebrae down spine, on individual vertebrae, the superior and inferior articulating surfaces get relatively closer together vertically, while inferior articulating processes get further apart horizontally
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