2.04 Anatomy of a Vertebra

While away recently I found a selection of bones including that of a vertebra. I made a little video that is at the end so you can see how I talk through the anatomy of the vertebra.

The lamb’s vertebra that I looked at is very similar to a human vertebra, but the facets seem much more pronounced. Facets of one vertebra articulate with one pair above and below. These articulations make a facet joint, and is formed by the articulation between paired bony projections called articular processes. These processes are linked at the back of each vertebra and connect to the next vertebrae. For each disc space, there are two facet joints and an intervertebral disc, that together form a tripod that creates the ability to move. This is why we have so much movement in the spine because of the many small bones and joints involved. The spinal nerves exit just above the upper facet at each level.

The Lamina forms the roof of the spinal canal; the posterior part of the spinal ring that covers the spinal cord.

The Pedical forms protection for the spinal cord at the side. It acts as a bridge to connect the front and back of the vertebra. A little step between the front and back of the vertebra.

A Laminectomy is a type of surgery in which a surgeon removes part or all of the lamina. This helps ease pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots that may be caused by injury, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, a tumor or bony growth.

The spinal canal is the hollow passage formed by the foramen of the vertebra through which the spinal cord runs. The spinal canal is filled with cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the nerves. The spinal canal originates at the base of the skull and ends at the sacrum.