Posterior View

Vertebrae all have a body or centrum. The size of the centrum varies along the length of the vertebral column. There are three types of processes: a dorsal spinous process, lateral transverse processes, and articular processes known as prezygapophyses on the anterior margin of the bone and postzygapophyses on the posterior margin of the bone. Pay special attention to how these structures change along the length of the vertebral column. Vertebrae also have an arch that lies dorsal to the spinal cord that passes through the large opening in the center of the vertebrae. Return to vertebral column Return to tutorial