Intervertebral discs, small cartilage cushions, pad the spaces between the vertebrae. The discs allow movement of the spinal column and function like shock absorbers. A letter and number identify ...

From head to tail, the spinal vertebrae can be categorized into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal sections, each with its own characteristic anatomy.

The vertebrae of the lumbar spine are numbered L1 through L5; the “L” stands for “lumbar.” They are: L1: This vertebra begins the lumbar spine after the thoracic spine ends.