Bone: Body of vertebra
A typical thoracic vertebra, viewed from above. (Body visible at top center.)
A cervical vertebra. (Body visible at top center.)
Latin	corpus vertebrae
Gray's	subject #20 96

The body is the largest part of a vertebra, and is more or less cylindrical in shape.

Its upper and lower surfaces are flattened and rough, and give attachment to the intervertebral fibrocartilages, and each presents a rim around its circumference.

In front, the body is convex from side to side and concave from above downward.

Behind, it is flat from above downward and slightly concave from side to side.

Its anterior surface presents a few small apertures, for the passage of nutrient vessels.

On the posterior surface is a single large, irregular aperture, or occasionally more than one, for the exit of the basi-vertebral veins from the body of the vertebra.

[edit] Additional images

Cervical vertebra

[edit] External links

• vertebral+body at eMedicine Dictionary
• SUNY Figs 02:01-07 - "Superior and lateral views of typical vertebrae."

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

v • d • e Bones of torso (TA A02.2,3, GA 2.96-128) Sternum Suprasternal notch, Manubrium, Sternal angle, Body of sternum, Xiphisternal joint, Xiphoid process Rib specific ribs (1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, true – 1–7, false – 8–12, floating – 11–12) · parts (Angle, Tubercle, Costal groove, Neck, Head) Superior thoracic aperture · Inferior thoracic aperture · Intercostal space · Thoracic wall/Thoracic cage Vertebra General structures body of vertebra, vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch), foramina (vertebral, intervertebral), processes (transverse, articular/zygapophysis, spinous), spinal canal Cervical vertebrae C1 (anterior arch, posterior arch, lateral mass), C2 (dens), C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 anterior tubercle, posterior tubercle, foramen transversarium Thoracic vertebrae T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12 costal facets (superior, inferior, transverse) Lumbar vertebrae accessory process, mammillary process, L5 Sacrum pelvic surface (anterior sacral foramina), dorsal surface (posterior sacral foramina, median sacral crest, medial sacral crest, lateral sacral crest), lateral surface (sacral tuberosity), base, sacral hiatus · presacral space · sacral promontory · sacral canal  · ala of sacrum · sacrovertebral angle Coccyx

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