Spinous process

Spinous process
Bone: Spinous process
Processusspinosusvertebrae.png
A cervical vertebra. (Spinous process labeled at bottom.)
Gray85.png
Side view of a typical cervical vertebra. (Spinous process labeled at right.)
Latin processus spinosus vertebrae
Gray's subject #20 97

The spinous process of a vertebra is directed backward and downward from the junction of the laminae (in humans), 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. Spinous processes are exaggerated in some animals, such as the extinct Dimetrodon and Spinosaurus, where they form a sail- or finback.

See also

Additional images

  • Cervical vertebra

  • Median sagittal section of two lumbar vertebræ and their ligaments.

  • Costotransverse articulation. Seen from above.

External links

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 As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.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 · eBones of torso (TA A02.2,3, GA 2.96–128)
Vertebra
General structures

Uncinate process of vertebra · Transverse foramen · Anterior tubercle · Carotid tubercle · Posterior tubercle

C1 (lateral mass, anterior arch, posterior arch), C2 (dens), C3, C4, C5, C6, C7
T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12
costal facets (superior, inferior, transverse) · Uncinate process of vertebra
Thoracic skeleton
Sternum
Thoracic cage

M: BON/CAR

anat(c/f/k/f, u, t/p, l)/phys/devp/cell

noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr

proc, drug(M5)

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • spinous process — n SPINE (2) specif the median spinelike or platelike dorsal process of the neural arch of a vertebra * * * spina (def. 1) …   Medical dictionary

  • spinous process — noun : spine 3e: as a. : the median spinelike or platelike dorsal process of the neural arch of a vertebra : neural spine b. : a sharp posterior prolongation on each greater wing of the sphenoid bone c. : a process on the head of the t …   Useful english dictionary

  • Spinous process of a vertebra — Spinous Spi nous, a. 1. Spinose; thorny. [1913 Webster] 2. Having the form of a spine or thorn; spinelike. [1913 Webster] {Spinous process of a vertebra} (Anat.), the dorsal process of the neural arch of a vertebra; a neurapophysis. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spinous process — Anat., Zool. a spinelike process of a bone, esp. the dorsal projection from the center of the arch of a vertebra. [1725 35] * * * …   Universalium

  • spinous process of vertebra — processus spinosus vertebrae …   Medical dictionary

  • Spinous — Spi nous, a. 1. Spinose; thorny. [1913 Webster] 2. Having the form of a spine or thorn; spinelike. [1913 Webster] {Spinous process of a vertebra} (Anat.), the dorsal process of the neural arch of a vertebra; a neurapophysis. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Process (anatomy) — In anatomy, a process (Latin: processus ) is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body.ExamplesExamples of processes include: *the mastoid process *the xyphoid process *the acromion process *the spinous process extends from rearward… …   Wikipedia

  • Process — In anatomy, a process is a projection from a structure. The process of the mandible is the part of the lower jaw that projects forward. In a more general sense, a process is a series of actions or events that are part of a system or of a… …   Medical dictionary

  • spinous — Relating to, shaped like, or having a spine or spines. SYN: spinose. * * * spi·nous spī nəs adj slender and pointed like a spine * * * spi·nous (spiґnəs) [L. spinosus] 1. like a spine; acanthoid. 2. pertaining to a spine or to a spinelike… …   Medical dictionary

  • Mammillary process — Bone: Mammillary process A lumbar vertebra from above and behind. (Mammillar process labeled at center left.) Latin processus mammillaris Gray s …   Wikipedia

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