Lamina of the vertebral arch

Lamina of the vertebral arch
A typical thoracic vertebra, viewed from above. (Lamina labeled at bottom left.)
A cervical vertebra. (Lamina labeled at bottom right.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	l. arcus vertebrae
Anatomical terms of bone

The laminæ are two broad plates extending dorsally and medially from the pedicles to complete the roof of the vertebral arch.

They fuse in the middle line posteriorly, and so complete the posterior boundary of the vertebral foramen.

Their upper borders and the lower parts of their anterior surfaces are rough for the attachment of the ligamenta flava.

The name derives from the Latin word "lāmina," which refers to a thin plate, sheet, or layer.

Additional images

• 
  Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebræ and their ligaments.
• 
  Vertebral arches of three thoracic vertebræ viewed from the front.
• 
  Costotransverse articulation. Seen from above.

External links

• Anatomy figure: 02:02-08 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)