Vertebral arch
Encyclopedia
The vertebral arch is the posterior part of a vertebra.

It consists of a pair of pedicles
Pedicle of vertebral arch
The pedicles are two short, thick processes, which project dorsally, one on either side, from the superior part of the vertebral body at the junction of its posterior and lateral surfaces. They connect the body of the spinal vertebra to the arch...

 and a pair of laminae
Lamina of the vertebral arch
The laminæ are two broad plates, extending dorsally and medially from the pedicles, fusing to complete the roof of the vertebral arch.Their upper borders and the lower parts of their anterior surfaces are rough for the attachment of the ligamenta flava....

, and supports seven processes
Process (anatomy)
In anatomy, a process is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body. The vertebra has several kinds of processes,such as: transverse process, prezygapophysis, postzygapophysis.-Examples:Examples of processes include:...

:
  • four articular processes
    Articular processes
    The articular processes or zygapophyses of a vertebra, two superior and two inferior, spring from the junctions of the pedicles and laminæ...

  • two transverse processes
  • one spinous process
    Spinous process
    The spinous process of a vertebra is directed backward and downward from the junction of the laminae , and serves for the attachment of muscles and ligaments. In animals without an erect stance, the process points upward and may slant forward or backward...

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