Lumbar vertebrae

vertebra /ver·te·bra/ (ver´tĕ-brah) pl. ver´tebrae   [L.] any of the 33 bones of the vertebral (spinal) column, comprising 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal vertebrae .ver´tebral

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basilar vertebra  the lowest lumbar vertebra.

cervical vertebrae  the seven vertebrae closest to the skull, constituting the skeleton of the neck. Symbols C1–C7.

coccygeal vertebrae  the three to five rudimentary segments of the vertebral column most distant from the skull, which fuse to form the coccyx.

cranial vertebrae  the segments of the skull and facial bones, regarded by some as modified vertebrae.

dorsal vertebrae  thoracic vertebrae.

false vertebrae  those vertebrae which normally fuse with adjoining segments; the sacral and coccygeal vertebrae.

lumbar vertebrae  the five segments of the vertebral column between the twelfth thoracic vertebra and the sacrum. Symbols L1–L5.

odontoid vertebra  the second cervical vertebra (axis).

vertebra pla´na  a condition of spondylitis in which the body of the vertebra is reduced to a sclerotic disk.

sacral vertebrae  the segments (usually five) below the lumbar vertebrae, which normally fuse to form the sacrum. Symbols S1–S5.

sternal vertebra  sternebra.

thoracic vertebrae  the 12 segments of the vertebral column between the cervical and the lumbar vertebrae, giving attachment to the ribs and forming part of the posterior wall of the thorax. Symbols T1–T12.

true vertebrae  those segments of the vertebral column that normally remain unfused throughout life: the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae.

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Lumbar vertebrae

The vertebrae of the lower back below the level of the ribs.

Mentioned in: Spinal Instrumentation

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lumbar

pertaining to the loins.

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lumbar epidural analgesia

see epidural anesthesia.

lumbar paralysis

paraplegia generally and specifically that due to cerebrospinal nematodiasis.

lumbar plexus

one formed by the ventral branches of the last four or five lumbar nerves in the psoas major muscle.

lumbar puncture

insertion of a needle and stylet into the subarachnoid space between the seventh lumbar vertebra and sacrum in most species except the dog, where the space between the sixth and seventh lumbar vertebrae is usually used; called also spinal puncture. A lumbar puncture may be done to measure the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid and obtain a specimen for examination, and to inject a contrast medium for special radiographic examinations such as myelography. As a therapeutic measure it is sometimes done to relieve intracranial pressure or to remove blood or pus from the subarachnoid space. A lumbar puncture also is necessary for injection of a spinal anesthetic.

lumbar spinal stenosis

see lumbosacral stenosis.

lumbar tap

see lumbar puncture (above).

lumbar vertebrae

the vertebrae between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum, numbering seven in dogs and cats, six in horses and cattle, and six or seven in sheep and pigs.