Anatom3DFifth lumbar vertebra
Vertebra lumbalis V · Pátý bederní obratel
Skeleton
Looks like
The lowest and largest lumbar vertebra (L5), wedge-shaped, sitting on the sacrum.
What it does
Passes the whole upper body weight to the pelvis; the L5–S1 disc takes the most shear.
Keeping it well
L5–S1 disc herniation and slipping forward of L5 (spondylolisthesis) are common causes of low back and leg pain.
Related conditions
- Achondroplasia
- Acromegaly
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Fractures
- Fragility fracture
- Frailty & falls in older age
- Herniated disc
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Non-specific low back pain
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
- Osteomalacia & rickets
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Osteoporosis
- Paget's disease of bone
- Sarcoma
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
- Vitamin D deficiency