This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

L5 vertebra

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The L5 vertebra is atypical amongst the 5 lumbar vertebrae in that:

  • body: deeper anterior margin than posterior margin
  • transverse processes:
    • medially, fused mainly with posterolateral margin of body and only slightly with pedicle
    • shorter and more apically rounded than superior vertebrae
    • can fuse with the lateral sacrum
  • inferior articular process:
    • more widely separated in the transverse plane than in superior vertebrae
    • plane of articulating surface directed more anterolaterally than superior vertebrae
  • spinous process shorter and has a terminal bulbous rounding

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.