L3 (3rd Lumbar Vertebra) The L3 vertebra is in the middle of the five (5) lumbar vertebrae in the lower back portion of the spinal column.
While the L3-L4 motion segment is less likely to be injured compared to its lower counterparts, it may be subject to degeneration, trauma, and disc-related problems. Video: Lumbar Spine Anatomy. Learn how the lumbar spinal discs function and how lower back conditions can cause back pain and/or radiating pain.
Like the other lumbar spinal bones, L4 primarily provides protection to the spinal cord. Also, it features a number of processes and grooves where muscles attach. This includes the spinous, transverse, and the inferior and superior articular processes. Like the rest of the spinal vertebrae, L4 articulates, or connects,…