Lumbar Vertebrae (Lateral view)		The first lumbar vertebra articulates with the similarly shaped last thoracic vertebrae, which lacks the enlarged flattened transverse processes characteristic of the lumbar vertebrae. The last lumbar vertebra articulates with the sacrum.
		The prezygapophyses are oriented dorsolaterally and the postzygapophyses are oriented ventrolaterally. In addition, these vertebrae have an enlarged centrum. Return to vertebral column Return to tutorial