|Bone: Lumbar vertebrae| |Position of human lumbar vertebrae
(shown in red). It consists of 5 bones, from top to down, L1,
L2, L3, L4 and L5.| |A typical lumbar vertebra| |Gray's||subject
#23 104| In human anatomy, the lumbar vertebrae are the five
vertebrae between the rib cage and the pelvis. They are the
largest segments of the vertebral column and are characterized
by the absence of the foramen transversarium within the
transverse process, and by the absence of facets on the sides of
the body. They are designated L1 to L5, starting at the top. The
lumbar vertebrae help support the weight of the body, and permit
movement. Human anatomy  General characteristics  These are the
general characteristics of the first through fourth lumbar
vertebrae. The fifth vertebra contains certain peculiarities,
which are detailed below. As with other vertebrae, each lumbar
vertebra consists of a vertebral body and a vertebral arch. The
vertebral arch, consisting of a pair of pedicles and a pair of
laminae, encloses the vert