L4 (4th 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 L4 (4th Lumbar Vertebra) Description
[Continued from above] . . . intervertebral discs between the relatively flat surfaces of the centrum that form the articular facets of the joints between superjacent and subjacent vertebrae (the L3 and L5, respectively). The nearly horizontal and rectangular spinous process is likewise substantial, in order to counteract the force of strong muscles in the lower back that attach to it. As for the rest of the vertebral arch, it includes short, strong pedicles with superior and inferior notching; thick laminae; and thin, long transverse processes all surrounding a relatively large, triangular vertebral process through which the spinal cord passes safely. Between each transverse process and pedicle there is a superior articular process and an inferior articular process, each with a facet that articulates with the complementary facet of the vertebra above and below the L4, respectively. The L4 vertebra's transverse processes are noteworthy for lacking transverse foramina, as with the other lumbar vertebrae. Also consistent with the lumbar region of the spine, the centrum lacks external articular facets.