Identify Vertebra in the Vertebral column

Human vertebral column consist of total 33 vertebrae and vertebral column is divided into 5 regions.

Which are cervical region/spine, Thoracic region/spine, Lumber region/spine, sacral and coccygeal region/spine.

Before studying the difference between these vertebra of 5 region, we must know the basic structure of a typical vertebra. You can easily understand the different part of a vertebra by seeing figure below:

In these figures, different parts of vertebra are labelled, based on these parts you are able to differentiate the vertebra of different region of spine, these are :

1. Vertebral body : Block of trabecular bone

2. Padicle : connect the vertebral body to the posterior elements 

3. Lamina : constitutes the central portion of the arch connect both the pedicles

4. Superior and inferior articular process aka Zygapopyhseal articular process : these are projections which make joints with the vertebra above and below.

5. Transverse process : Lateral projections of bone that originate from the laminae

6. Spinous process : Posterior projection of bone that originates from the central portion of the lamina

7. Vertebral foramen ; not labelled in the figure, it’s the opening surrounded by vertebral body, pedicles and lamina, though this opening spinal cord passes.

How the vertebra differ in each region

• Cervical Vertebra 

1. Vertebral body: Small rectangular shape.

                                Have unicate processes 

2. Pedicle : halfway between superior and inferior facet

3. Lamina : thin and curved

4. Zygapophyseal Articular Processes : smooth and flat articular facet ; in midway between Frontal and horizontal plane

5. Transverse processes:    short has anterior and posterior tubercles groove for the spinal    nerves.                                          Transverse Foramen 

6. Spinous processes : are short, extend horizontaly with some processes being bifid (i.e. double)

7. Vertebral foramen/canal: relatively large and triangular in shape.

• Thoracic Vertebra

1. Vertebral body : equal transverse and anteroposterior diameters

     Anterior height is greater than posterior height.

     Two demifacets (half facet) for articulation with the ribs.

2. Pedicle : face generally in the frontal plane, with a mild forward slope that averages about 15 to 25 degrees from the vertical.

3. Lamina : Short, thick, and broad.  

4. Zygapophyseal Articular Processes: face generally in the frontal plane, with a mild forward slope that average about 15 to 25 degrees from the vertical.

5. Transverse processes: Processes are large with thickened ends. Possess paired oval facets for articulation with the ribs.

6. Spinous Processes: T1–T10 slope inferiorily. T11 and T12 have a triangular shape.

7. Vertebral Foramen/canal: Small and circular.

• Lumber Vertebra

1. Vertebral body : massive, with a transverse diameter greater than the anterio-posterior diameter and height.

2. Pedicle: Short and thick

3. Lamina : Short and broad.

4. Zygapophyseal Articular Processes: oriented nearly vertically, with a moderate-to-strong sagittal plane bias.

5. Transverse processes : Processes are long and slender and extend horizontally

 6. Spinous Processes : Broad, thick, and extend horizontally.

 7. Vertebral Canal: Triangular in shape, Larger than the thoracic but smaller than the cervical.

Just before the viva:

I know its not easy to remember all the 7 characteristic feathers of a each region, that is why, I am gonna tell you a simpler way to answer the question: 
Which vertebra is this? when your examiner ask you in the viva.
Just keep these 3 points in your mind about each vertebra, which will make you pass your viva in the med school. These are mentioned in the picture below about Body, Spinous Process and Vertebral Foramen of different region of Vertebral Column.

 Now you can easily tell the difference between the vertebrae of different region of spinal column.

Youtube:

  Sources:

•  Joint Structure and Function: A Comprehensive Analysis Fourth Edition.
• Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System Foundations for Rehabilitation 2e 2010 - Neumann.

By Sonali Tushamer (Physiotherapist)