440+ Vertebrae Names For Spine Anatomy

The vertebral column is one of the most important structures in the human body. It supports the body, protects the spinal cord, and helps the trunk move, bend, and rotate. The vertebrae are arranged into different regions, and each region has its own anatomy and function. This guide to 440+ vertebrae names covers the major vertebrae and many related anatomical terms. You will find cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal names, along with vertebral processes, joints, openings, and other spine anatomy terms. This makes the list useful for students, teachers, writers, and anyone learning anatomy.

Table of Contents

Cervical Vertebrae Names

The cervical spine is located in the neck. It contains seven vertebrae, numbered C1 through C7. The first two are known as the atlas and axis.

Cervical Vertebra C1
Cervical Vertebra C2
Cervical Vertebra C3
Cervical Vertebra C4
Cervical Vertebra C5
Cervical Vertebra C6
Cervical Vertebra C7
Atlas
Axis
Typical Cervical Vertebra
Upper Cervical Vertebra
Lower Cervical Vertebra
C1 Vertebra
C2 Vertebra
C3 Vertebra
C4 Vertebra
C5 Vertebra
C6 Vertebra
C7 Vertebra
Vertebra Prominens
Thoracic Vertebra T1
Thoracic Vertebra T2
Thoracic Vertebra T3
Thoracic Vertebra T4
Thoracic Vertebra T5
Thoracic Vertebra T6
Thoracic Vertebra T7
Thoracic Vertebra T8
Thoracic Vertebra T9
Thoracic Vertebra T10
Thoracic Vertebra T11
Thoracic Vertebra T12
First Thoracic Vertebra
Second Thoracic Vertebra
Third Thoracic Vertebra
Fourth Thoracic Vertebra
Fifth Thoracic Vertebra
Sixth Thoracic Vertebra
Seventh Thoracic Vertebra
Eighth Thoracic Vertebra
Ninth Thoracic Vertebra
Tenth Thoracic Vertebra
Eleventh Thoracic Vertebra
Twelfth Thoracic Vertebra
Typical Thoracic Vertebra
Upper Thoracic Vertebra
Middle Thoracic Vertebra
Lower Thoracic Vertebra
T1 Vertebra
T12 Vertebra
Lumbar Vertebra L1
Lumbar Vertebra L2
Lumbar Vertebra L3
Lumbar Vertebra L4
Lumbar Vertebra L5
First Lumbar Vertebra
Second Lumbar Vertebra
Third Lumbar Vertebra
Fourth Lumbar Vertebra
Fifth Lumbar Vertebra
Typical Lumbar Vertebra
Upper Lumbar Vertebra
Middle Lumbar Vertebra
Lower Lumbar Vertebra
L1 Vertebra
L2 Vertebra
L3 Vertebra
L4 Vertebra
L5 Vertebra
Lumbar Transitional Vertebra

Sacral Vertebrae Names

The sacrum is formed from five fused sacral vertebrae. It sits between the lumbar spine and the coccyx and connects with the pelvic bones.

Sacral Vertebra S1
Sacral Vertebra S2
Sacral Vertebra S3
Sacral Vertebra S4
Sacral Vertebra S5
First Sacral Vertebra
Second Sacral Vertebra
Third Sacral Vertebra
Fourth Sacral Vertebra
Fifth Sacral Vertebra
Sacrum
Superior Sacrum
Inferior Sacrum
Sacral Base
Sacral Apex
Sacral Promontory
Pelvic Surface of Sacrum
Dorsal Surface of Sacrum
Lateral Sacral Part
Sacral Canal
Coccygeal Vertebra Co1
Coccygeal Vertebra Co2
Coccygeal Vertebra Co3
Coccygeal Vertebra Co4
First Coccygeal Vertebra
Second Coccygeal Vertebra
Third Coccygeal Vertebra
Fourth Coccygeal Vertebra
Coccyx
Coccygeal Base
Coccygeal Apex
Coccygeal Cornua
Coccygeal Transverse Process
Coccygeal Segment
Terminal Vertebra

Vertebral Body Names

The vertebral body is the large, weight-bearing portion at the front of each typical vertebra.

Vertebral Body
Body of Cervical Vertebra
Body of Thoracic Vertebra
Body of Lumbar Vertebra
Body of C1
Body of C2
Body of C3
Body of C4
Body of C5
Body of C6
Body of C7
Body of T1
Body of T2
Body of T3
Body of T4
Body of T5
Body of T6
Body of T7
Body of T8
Body of T9
Body of T10
Body of T11
Body of T12
Body of L1
Body of L2
Body of L3
Body of L4
Body of L5
Sacral Body
Vertebral Endplate
Superior Endplate
Inferior Endplate
Anterior Vertebral Body
Posterior Vertebral Body
Lateral Vertebral Body
Vertebral Arch
Neural Arch
Pedicle
Right Pedicle
Left Pedicle
Vertebral Lamina
Right Lamina
Left Lamina
Superior Pedicle
Inferior Pedicle
Pedicle Root
Pedicle Notch
Superior Vertebral Notch
Inferior Vertebral Notch
Superior Lamina
Inferior Lamina
Right Vertebral Arch
Left Vertebral Arch
Posterior Vertebral Arch
Anterior Arch of Atlas

Vertebral Process Names

Vertebral processes provide attachment points for muscles and ligaments and contribute to spinal movement.

Spinous Process
Transverse Process
Superior Articular Process
Inferior Articular Process
Right Spinous Process
Left Spinous Process
Right Transverse Process
Left Transverse Process
Right Superior Articular Process
Left Superior Articular Process
Right Inferior Articular Process
Left Inferior Articular Process
Spinous Process of C7
Spinous Process of T1
Spinous Process of T2
Spinous Process of T3
Spinous Process of T4
Spinous Process of T5
Spinous Process of T6
Spinous Process of T7
Spinous Process of T8
Spinous Process of T9
Spinous Process of T10
Spinous Process of T11
Spinous Process of T12
Spinous Process of L1
Spinous Process of L2
Spinous Process of L3
Spinous Process of L4
Spinous Process of L5
Vertebral Foramen
Cervical Vertebral Foramen
Thoracic Vertebral Foramen
Lumbar Vertebral Foramen
Sacral Canal
Vertebral Canal
Spinal Canal
Neural Canal
Central Vertebral Canal
Upper Vertebral Canal
Lower Vertebral Canal
Cervical Canal
Thoracic Canal
Lumbar Canal
Sacral Canal Opening
Sacral Hiatus
Sacral Foramina
Anterior Sacral Foramina
Posterior Sacral Foramina
Intervertebral Foramen

Cervical Spine Terms

The cervical region has several special features that distinguish it from the thoracic and lumbar regions.

Cervical Spine
Cervical Region
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
Atlas Ring
Anterior Arch of Atlas
Posterior Arch of Atlas
Lateral Mass of Atlas
Superior Articular Facet of Atlas
Inferior Articular Facet of Atlas
Transverse Foramen
Transverse Process of Cervical Vertebra
Anterior Tubercle
Posterior Tubercle
Carotid Tubercle
Dens
Odontoid Process
Body of Axis
Superior Articular Facet of Axis
Inferior Articular Facet of Axis
Transverse Ligament Groove
Bifid Spinous Process
Cervical Uncinate Process
Uncinate Process
Cervical Vertebral Foramen

Thoracic Spine Terms

Thoracic vertebrae have features related to their connections with the ribs.

Thoracic Spine
Thoracic Region
Rib Facet
Costal Facet
Superior Costal Facet
Inferior Costal Facet
Transverse Costal Facet
Demifacet
Superior Demifacet
Inferior Demifacet
Rib Articulation
Costovertebral Joint
Costotransverse Joint
Thoracic Spinous Process
Thoracic Transverse Process
Thoracic Vertebral Body
Thoracic Vertebral Arch
Thoracic Vertebral Foramen
Thoracic Pedicle
Thoracic Lamina
Lumbar Spine
Lumbar Region
Lumbar Vertebral Body
Lumbar Vertebral Arch
Lumbar Pedicle
Lumbar Lamina
Lumbar Spinous Process
Lumbar Transverse Process
Superior Articular Process of Lumbar Vertebra
Inferior Articular Process of Lumbar Vertebra
Mammillary Process
Accessory Process
Superior Articular Facet
Inferior Articular Facet
Lumbar Vertebral Foramen
Lumbar Pedicle Notch
Lumbar Lamina
Lumbar Pars Interarticularis
Pars Interarticularis
Lumbar Facet

Vertebral Joint Names

The vertebrae connect through several types of joints and articulations that allow the spine to move while maintaining stability.

Intervertebral Joint
Intervertebral Disc Joint
Zygapophyseal Joint
Facet Joint
Superior Facet Joint
Inferior Facet Joint
Atlantoaxial Joint
Median Atlantoaxial Joint
Lateral Atlantoaxial Joint
Atlanto-occipital Joint
Lumbosacral Joint
Sacrococcygeal Joint
Sacroiliac Joint
Costovertebral Joint
Costotransverse Joint
Intervertebral Articulation
Facet Articulation
Vertebral Articulation
Spinal Joint
Posterior Spinal Joint

Intervertebral Disc Names

Intervertebral discs sit between most adjacent vertebral bodies and help distribute loads while allowing controlled movement.

Intervertebral Disc
Cervical Intervertebral Disc
Thoracic Intervertebral Disc
Lumbar Intervertebral Disc
Nucleus Pulposus
Annulus Fibrosus
Outer Annulus
Inner Annulus
Disc Endplate
Cartilaginous Endplate
Superior Disc Surface
Inferior Disc Surface
Anterior Disc
Posterior Disc
Lateral Disc
C2-C3 Disc
C3-C4 Disc
C4-C5 Disc
C5-C6 Disc
C6-C7 Disc
C7-T1 Disc
T1-T2 Disc
T2-T3 Disc
T3-T4 Disc
T4-T5 Disc
T5-T6 Disc
T6-T7 Disc
T7-T8 Disc
T8-T9 Disc
T9-T10 Disc

Common Vertebral Anatomy Terms

These terms are useful when studying the overall anatomy and structure of the vertebral column.

Vertebral Column
Spinal Column
Spine
Backbone
Vertebral Column Axis
Spinal Cord Canal
Neural Arch
Vertebral Segment
Motion Segment
Spinal Segment
Vertebral Level
Cervical Level
Thoracic Level
Lumbar Level
Sacral Level
Coccygeal Level
Spinal Alignment
Vertebral Alignment
Spinal Curvature
Vertebral Curvature
Cervical Lordosis
Thoracic Kyphosis
Lumbar Lordosis
Sacral Kyphosis
Spinal Axis
Vertebral Axis
Anterior Column
Middle Column
Posterior Column
Vertebral Stability
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Ligamentum Flavum
Interspinous Ligament
Supraspinous Ligament
Intertransverse Ligament
Nuchal Ligament
Transverse Ligament of Atlas
Alar Ligament
Apical Ligament
Tectorial Membrane
Anterior Atlantoaxial Membrane
Posterior Atlantoaxial Membrane
Anterior Atlanto-occipital Membrane
Posterior Atlanto-occipital Membrane
Sacroiliac Ligament
Sacrotuberous Ligament
Sacrospinous Ligament
Iliolumbar Ligament
Intervertebral Ligament
Vertebral Prominence
Sacral Promontory
Iliac Crest Level
C7 Landmark
T1 Level
T4 Level
T7 Level
T12 Level
L1 Level
L4 Level
L5 Level
S1 Level
Coccygeal Landmark
Cervicothoracic Junction
Thoracolumbar Junction
Lumbosacral Junction
Sacrococcygeal Junction
Craniovertebral Junction
Atlanto-occipital Region
Atlantoaxial Region

Final Vertebrae Related Terms

These final terms complete the collection with useful names associated with spinal anatomy and vertebral structure.

Craniovertebral Junction
Cervicothoracic Junction
Thoracolumbar Junction
Lumbosacral Junction
Sacrococcygeal Junction
Intervertebral Space
Intervertebral Level
Vertebral Level
Spinal Level
Neural Foramen
Intervertebral Notch
Superior Articular Facet
Inferior Articular Facet
Vertebral Endplate
Spinal Ligament
Vertebral Ligament
Facet Capsule
Joint Capsule
Vertebral Cartilage
Vertebral Bone
Cancellous Bone
Cortical Bone
Vertebral Trabeculae
Vertebral Marrow
Vertebral Pedicle
Vertebral Lamina
Vertebral Arch
Vertebral Body
Spinous Process
Transverse Process
Articular Process
Superior Articular Process
Inferior Articular Process
Vertebral Foramen
Intervertebral Foramen
Spinal Canal
Vertebral Canal
Sacral Foramen
Sacral Hiatus
Coccygeal Cornua

Conclusion

Understanding vertebrae names becomes much easier when the spine is divided into its five main regions. The cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions each have distinct structures and functions. Learning the names of their bodies, arches, processes, joints, and openings can also make anatomy study much simpler.

This collection provides 440 vertebrae and vertebral-anatomy terms in an easy-to-scan format. Keep in mind that the list includes individual vertebrae as well as anatomical structures and related terms, because there are not actually 440 separate human vertebrae.

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