Human Spine Vertebra & Disk

Lumbar Vertebrae

The spine is made up of three groups of bones called "vertebrae." There are five "lumbar vertebrae" in the small of the back (loins). Since the lumbars must support more weight than the vertebrae above them, they have developed larger and stronger bodies. The transverse processes of these vertebrae project backward at sharp angles, while their short, thick spinous processes are directed nearly horizontally.