Definition

Noun: A lumbar vertebra is one of the five individual bones that make up the lumbar region of the vertebral column (spine) in humans. These vertebrae are located in the lower back, between the thoracic vertebrae above and the sacral vertebrae below.

Usage

The term "lumbar vertebra" refers to a single bone within the lumbar spine. It is typically used in anatomical, medical, and biological contexts. - The lumbar vertebrae are the largest and strongest of the movable vertebrae, designed to support the weight of the upper body. - A specific vertebra is identified by its position, e.g., the first lumbar vertebra (L1) or the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5).

Examples

• Noun:
  • A herniated disc often occurs between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae.
  • The fracture was located in the third lumbar vertebra.
  • The lumbar vertebrae provide flexibility for bending and twisting motions.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical Context: In medical diagnostics, the condition of a specific lumbar vertebra is often assessed using imaging techniques like X-rays or MRI.
  • The MRI revealed degeneration in the L4-L5 lumbar vertebrae.
• Comparative Anatomy: The number of lumbar vertebrae can vary among different mammalian species.
  • Most humans have five lumbar vertebrae, while chimpanzees typically have three or four.

Variants and Related Words

• Lumbar spine (n): The entire region comprising the five lumbar vertebrae, the intervertebral discs, and associated structures.
  • He experienced pain in his lumbar spine.
• Lumbar (adj): Pertaining to the lower back.
  • She received a lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid.

Synonyms

• Lumbar spine bone: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its structural role.
• None: In precise anatomical terminology, there are no direct synonyms; "lumbar vertebra" is the specific term.

Related Phrases

• Lumbar vertebra fracture: A break in one of the lumbar vertebrae.
  • The car accident resulted in a lumbar vertebra fracture.
• Lumbar vertebra dislocation: A displacement of a lumbar vertebra from its normal position.
  • The injury caused a rare lumbar vertebra dislocation.

Notes

• The lumbar vertebrae are numbered L1 through L5, from top to bottom.
• They are characterized by their large, kidney-shaped vertebral bodies and the absence of facets for rib articulation, which distinguishes them from thoracic vertebrae.

Noun

1. one of 5 vertebrae in the human vertebral column; lumbar vertebrae extend from the twelfth thoracic vertebra down to the sacral vertebrae