Lumbar vertebrae
Vertebrae lumbales
Definition
The lumbar vertebrae are different from thoracic vertebrae:
- longer size than thoracic vertebrae
- more uniform shape to their bodies
- no costal facet
- shorter spinous process that is craniodorsally oriented
- long and flattened transverse processes sometimes termed costal processes
- flat articular surfaces on their cranial and caudal extremities
The number of lumbar vertebrae differ between species. Here are different vertebral formulae:
- Dogs: C7 T13 L7 S3 Cd20
- Horses: C7 T18 L6 S5 Cd15-21
- Bovine: C7 T13 L6 S5 Cd18-20
- Ovine: C7 T13 L6-7 S4 Cd16-20
- Pigs: C7 T14-15 L6 S4 Cd20-23
References
Text by Antoine Micheau, MD - Copyright IMAIOS
Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals: Textbook and Colour Atlas, Sixth Edition - Horst Erich König, Hans-Georg Liebich - Schattauer - ISBN-13: 978-3794528332
