These are the five vertebra of the lower back. The last vertebra
(on the upper left of the picture) attaches to the sacrum, and the
top vertebra (on the right of the picture) attaches to the thoracic
section of the back. The vertebra are broader and stronger than the
other bones in the spine. This allows them to absorb the added
pressure applied to the lower back, but this area remains a common
site of injury. The vertebra are numbered from one to five and are
labeled L1, L2, L3 etc. from the higher bones to the lower.
Review Date: 08/03/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
