Typical Lumbar vertebra

Icon of crossfade image Front view of L3 with terminology comments
Front view of L3 Front view of L3 with terminology comments
The front view of the 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3), demonstrating the massive body (corpus vertebrae) and rudimentary ribs attached to the vertebral arch (arcus vertebrae).
The list of terms: Corpus vertebrae – Body of vertebra
Processus costalis – Costal process
Processus articularis (zygapophysis) superior – Superior articular process (zygapophysis)
Processus articularis (zygapophysis) inferior – Inferior articular process (zygapophysis)
Facies intervertebralis
Icon of crossfade image Top view of L3 with terminology comments
Top view of L3 Top view of L3 with terminology comments
The top view of the 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3) demonstrates the proportions between the rudimentary rib (processus costalis) and the rudiment of the original lumbar transverse process (processus accessorius).
The list of terms: Corpus vertebrae – Body of vertebra
Facies intervertebralis
Apophysis anularis – Ring apophysis
Lamina arcus vertebrae – Lamina of the vertebral arch
Pediculus arcus vertebrae – Pedicle of vertebral arch
Foramen vertebrale – Vertebral foramen
Processus costalis – Costal process
Processus articularis (zygapophysis) superior – Superior articular process (zygapophysis)
Processus mamillaris – Mamillary process
Processus accessorius – Accessory process
Processus articularis (zygapophysis) inferior – Inferior articular process
Processus spinosus – Spinous process
Icon of crossfade image Side view of third lumbar vertebra with terminology comments
Side view of L3 Side view of L3 with terminology comments
The side view of the 3rd lumbar vertebra.
The list of terms: Corpus vertebrae – Body of vertebra
Apophysis anularis – Ring apophysis
Pediculus arcus vertebrae – Pedicle of vertebral arch
Processus costalis – Costal process
Processus articularis (zygapophysis) superior – Superior articular process (zygapophysis)
Processus mamillaris – Mamillary process
Processus articularis (zygapophysis) inferior – Inferior articular process
Processus spinosus – Spinous process
Icon of crossfade image Back oblique view of the third lumbar vertebra with terminology comments
Back oblique view of L3 Back oblique view of L3 with terminology comments
The oblique back view of the 3rd lumbar vertebra partly shows the vertebral body's back surface with the large opening (foramen nutricium) for the veins draining the blood from the body of the vertebra.
The list of terms: Corpus vertebrae – Body of vertebra
Apophysis anularis – Ring apophysis
Facies intervertebralis
Lamina arcus vertebrae – Lamina of the vertebral arch
Foramen vertebrale – Vertebral foramen
Processus costalis – Costal process
Processus articularis (zygapophysis) superior – Superior articular process (zygapophysis)
Processus mamillaris – Mamillary process
Processus accessorius – Accessory process
Processus articularis (zygapophysis) inferior – Inferior articular process
Processus spinosus – Spinous process
The 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3). 360° rotation.
First published: Sep/2019
Last update: 24/Nov/2020