lumbar vertebra

The lumbar vertebrae are bones located in the lower back, between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum. They are a part of the vertebral column, which extends from the neck to the tail and protects the spinal cord. Each vertebra has a body and a neural arch, which surrounds an opening for the spinal cord. The lumbar vertebrae are more robust than other vertebrae and help transmit body weight during walking and standing.12

Disorders affecting the lumbar region include spondylosis, where bony spurs form and vertebral disks degenerate, and lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can compress nerve roots. Pain in the lower back, known as lumbago, can stem from various issues, including muscle strain, herniated disks, or degenerative diseases of the vertebrae.34