Transverse Process of Vertebra
The structure indicated is the
transverse process of the vertebra.
The typical vertebra consists of the following features:
- Vertebral body
- Vertebral arch (neural arch) consisting of lamina and pedicle
- Spinous process
- Transverse process
- Vertebral foramen (collectively form vertebral canal)
- Superior and inferior articular processes
- Superior and inferior vertebral notches
The transverse processes of the vertebrae extend from the
vertebral arch at the point where the
pedicles meet the
lamina, and lie in between the
superior and
inferior articular processes. A
facet on the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae serves as the point of articulation for the
tubercles of the rib. In addition, the thoracic vertebra have
superior and
inferior costal facets on their vertebral bodies which serve as points of articulation for the heads of the ribs. The
inferior costal facet articulates with the head of the rib below, the
superior costal facet articulates with the rib of its own level. For example, rib 2 articulates with the inferior costal facet of vertebra T1, and the superior costal facet of vertebra T2.
Learn more about the anatomy of the
vertebrae in this tutorial.
