A Typical Vertebra

Question 1

Vertebral body

Answer 1

The dense portion ventral to the vertebral foramen.

Question 2

Cranial extremity (= Vertebral head)

Answer 2

The rounded, cranial end of the vertebral body.

Question 3

Caudal extremity (= Vertebral Fossa)

Answer 3

The caudal end of the vertebral body; contains a depression (fossa)

Question 4

Ventral crest

Answer 4

The ventral, longitudinal ridge on the body of cervical (except atlas), cranial, and caudal thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae.

Question 5

Vertebral arch

Answer 5

The dorsal part that forms, along with the vertebral body, the vertebral foramen.

Question 6

Pedicle (2)

Answer 6

The part of the arch that attaches to the vertebral body; one on each side.

Question 7

Lamina (2)

Answer 7

There are two laminae; one on each side. They form the roof of the vertebral arch.

Question 8

Vertebral foramen

Answer 8

The opening formed by the vertebral arch and body. Collectively these form the vertebral canal.

Question 9

Spinous process

Answer 9

The single prominence projecting dorsally from the vertebral arch

Question 10

Transverse Process (2)

Answer 10

The left and right prominences projecting laterally from the junctions of the pedicles with the vertebral body.

Question 11

Cranial articular process (2)

Caudal articular process (2)

Answer 11

The paired processes located at the junctions of the laminae with the pedicles. They form synovial joints with the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Question 12

Interarcuate space

Answer 12

The dorsal space between the vertebral arches of articulated vertebrae.

Question 13

Interarcuate spaces are spanned by ______.

Answer 13

yellow ligaments (= ligamenta flava)

Question 14

Where is regional anesthesia involving the spinal cord administered?

Answer 14

A needle is inserted through the interarcuate space, and anesthetic solution is injecting into either the epidural cavity (“epidural anesthesia”) or subarachnoid space (“spinal anesthesia”)

Question 15

Cranial vertebral notches and caudal vertebral notches

Answer 15

Indentations on each end of the pedicle which when the vertebrae are articulated, form the intervertebral foramina.

Question 16

What passes through the intervertebral foramina?

Answer 16

Spinal nerves

Question 17

Lateral vertebral foramen

Answer 17

Results from the conversion of a large caudal vertebral notch into a foramen within the pedicle, especially in the thoracic vertebrae. This foramen communicates with the vertebral foramen. Unlike the lateral vertebral foramina of the atlas and axis, lateral vertebral foramina of the “typical vertebra” are not always present. They are seen frequently in the ox, occadionally in the horse, and are often doubled in the pig.