Lumbar vertebra
The lumbar spine closes the spinal column at the bottom. The vertebral bodies are also known as vertebrae lumbales. Compared to the previous vertebrae, they are even more massive, corresponding to the further increase in body weight to be supported and the increased static demands.The posteriorly oriented processi spinosi (spinous processes) are flat and are more closely connected to the adjacent vertebral body.
Even the laterally directed processi transversi can only be guessed at and are more closely connected to the adjacent vertebral structures. In general, the vertebrae of the lumbar spine can be described as plumper. In total, they consist of five lumbar vertebrae.
The end of the lumbar vertebrae is followed by the sacrum as the end of the spinal column. In the area of the lumbar vertebrae is the so-called cauda equina. This is a bundle of nerves that float in the cerebrospinal fluid and represents the extension of the spinal cord.
If a cerebrospinal fluid puncture (lumbar puncture) is required for medical-diagnostic reasons, this region is preferred because the risk of spinal cord injury is low. For a lumbar puncture, the height of the bilateral iliac scoops is sought and then the vertebra lying at this height is located. A needle is inserted into the palpable processus spinosus (position between two vertebrae).
The needle first breaks through a small resistance and reaches the liquor-carrying area. Afterwards, an appropriate amount of cerebral fluid can be drained and microbiologically examined. In higher sections of the lumbar spine, the herniated discs described above occur relatively frequently.
The main reason is the often incorrect movements and postural deformities that manifest themselves in the upper part of the lumbar spine or the lower part of the thoracic spine and lead to complaints. The deeper you go in the lumbar spine, the more rigid the vertebrae become. While it is still possible at the transition from the thoracic spine to the lumbar spine to perform bending movements forward and backward as well as rotational movements to the side, these movement options are increasingly impoverished.
The main reason for this is the decreasing “space” between the vertebrae, which are increasingly baked together. The lower part of the lumbar spine has only a very small degree of movement or is completely rigid. This is the only way to ensure that the spinal column at its lowest point (the end of the lumbar spine) can withstand the now very strong pressure that weighs on it and build up a corresponding static of the entire spinal column.
