Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

Is wider in females than males

Has a sacral canal (continuation of vertebral canal) that contains cauda equine

Has the following features:

Sacral hiatus (termination of sacral canal) that contains filum terminale

Median crest: fused spinous processes

Paired medial crests: fused articular processes

Paired lateral crests: fused tips of the transverse processes

Sacral corneae that project inferiorly on either side of sacral hiatus

Coccyx (coccygeal vertebrae)

Consist of three to five coccygeal vertebrae, inferior three fuse as coccyx in midlife

Has coccygeal corneae that articulate with sacral corneae

Provides site of attachment for gluteus maximus, coccygeus muscles, and anococcygeal ligament

Is joined to the sacrum by the sacrococcygeal symphysis

Summary of vertebral characteristics

VertebraeDistinctive Features

Cervical Small bodies, large vertebral foramina, foramina in transverse processes, anterior and posterior tubercles, bifid

spinous processes

Thoracic Heart-shaped bodies, long spinous processes angled posteroinferiorly; costal facets for rib articulation on bodies and

transverse processes

Lumbar Large kidney-bean-shaped bodies, sturdy laminae, thick and short spinous processes, mammillary processes on the

posterior surface of the superior articular facets (processes)

Sacral Fused as sacrum, four pairs of dorsal and ventral foramina for nerve exit and triangular sacral canal

CoccygealFused as small triangular bone-the coccyx

Joints

[Plate 21, Cervical Vertebrae: Uncovertebral Joints]

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Intervertebral (IV) discs

Connect articulating surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies