L3 (3rd Lumbar Vertebra)
Anatomy Terms
- Annulus Fibrosus
- Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
- Aorta
- Arachnoid Mater
- C1 (Atlas) - 1st Cervical Vertebra
- C2 (Axis) - 2nd Cervical Vertebra
- C3 (3rd Cervical Vertebra)
- C4 (4th Cervical Vertebra)
- C5 (5th Cervical Vertebra)
- C6 (6th Cervical Vertebra)
- C7 (7th Cervical Vertebra)
- Coccyx
- Costal Cartilage
- Dorsal Root of Spinal Nerve
- Dura Mater
- False Ribs
- Fat in Epidural Space
- Femur
- Iliolumbar Ligament
- Inferior Articular Process
- Intertransverse Ligaments
- Intervertebral Discs
- L1 (1st Lumbar Vertebra)
- L2 (2nd Lumbar Vertebra)
- L3 (3rd Lumbar Vertebra)
- L4 (4th Lumbar Vertebra)
- L5 (5th Lumbar Vertebra)
- Nucleus Pulposus
- Pelvis
- Pia Mater
- Posterior Sacroiliac Ligament
- Pubic Symphysis
- Radiate Ligaments
- Sacroiliac Joint
- Sacrospinous Ligament
- Sacrotuberous Ligament
- Sacrum
- Spinal Ganglion
- Spinous Process
- Subarachnoid Space
- Superior Articular Process
- Supraspinous Ligament
- T10 (10th Thoracic Vertebra)
- T11 (11th Thoracic Vertebra)
- T12 (12th Thoracic Vertebra)
- T2 (2nd Thoracic Vertebra)
- T3 (3rd Thoracic Vertebra)
- T4 (4th Thoracic Vertebra)
- T5 (5th Thoracic Vertebra)
- T6 (6th Thoracic Vertebra)
- T7 (7th Thoracic Vertebra)
- T8 (8th Thoracic Vertebra)
- T9 (9th Thoracic Vertebra)
- Transverse Process
- True Ribs
- Ventral Ramus (Intercostal Nerve)
- Ventral Root of Spinal Nerve
- Vertebral Body
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Full L3 (3rd Lumbar Vertebra) Description
[Continued from above] . . . vertebra and the subjacent L4, with cushioning intervertebral cartilaginous discs in the space between each joint. Characteristically, the vertebral body does not have articulating facets. Short, notched pedicles connect to thick laminae in the vertebral arch, protecting a relatively wide, triangular vertebral foramen through which the spinal cord runs. The transverse process on each side is long and thin, lacking transverse foramina. Superior and inferior articular processes and facets articulate with the lumbar vertebrae above and below the L3. Its spinous process is very large, nearly rectangular in shape, and extends horizontally from the vertebral arch as a strong attachment point for the muscles of the lower back.