Lumbar Vertebrae
The lumbar vertebrae continue several features of the thoracic vertebrae. Their bodies are about twice as long as those of the first thoracic vertebrae and are characterized by long transverse processes that sweep cranioventrally, overlapping the preceding vertebra (Fig.
12.7/1). The ventral deflection of these processes is even more pronounced in the cat. In comparison with the smaller interarcuate spaces of both lumbar and thoracic segments, the space at the lumbosacral junction is much better suited to insertion of a needle to access the vertebral canal. It is about 1 cm in diameter (in medium-sized dogs) and lies in the transverse plane of the highest palpable points on the wings of the ilia but about 2 cm deeper. In the cat, the interarcuate space between the last two lumbar vertebrae is also wide enough to allow injection into the vertebral canal.
FIG. 12.7 Lateral radiograph of the lumbar region of a cat. 1, Transverse processes of L4; 2, articular processes; 3, last lumbar vertebra (L7); 4, promontory (of sacrum); 5, shaft of ilium; 6, first tail vertebra
(Cdl).
The mammillary processes are also fused with the cranial articular processes in the lumbar regions.
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