Lumbar Vertebra
Only the anterior and posterior epiphyses on the body of the element are considered when coding whether the element is fused or un-fused. Loose un-fused anterior or posterior epiphyses unassociated with the rest of the element are coded as being of weathered condition and are given their appropriate BU. Epiphyses on the spinous and transverse processes are ignored in considering element fusion. When isolated un-fused epiphyses from the spinous or transverse processes are identified, they are coded as “undifferentiated” BU.
For the Fincastle Project, Bone Units 23-29 were added.
BU 1
SC A
Complete element.
BU 10
SC B
Element complete except all or part of spinous process removed.
BU 17
SC C
Element with all centrum missing. Remainder of element complete. (EMA)
BU 7
SC D
Element complete except one transverse process completely or partially removed.
BU 8
SC E
Element complete except both transverse processes completely or partially removed.
BU 9
SC F
Element complete except both transverse processes and spinous process completely or partially removed.
BU 18
SC G
Element with all of centrum and one or both transverse processes removed.
BU 15
SC H
All or most of one side of body and corresponding side of arch. Corresponding anterior and posterior articular surfaces may or may not be present. Transverse process absent.
BU 5
SC I
Complete body detached from rest of element.
BU 21
SC J
Unit consists of complete body, both anterior and posterior processes. None or both posterior processes may be present. Spinous and transverse processes absent. (MB)
BU 22
SC K
Unit includes one transverse process with attached posterior and anterior articular surfaces (one or both). No centrum is present. (WU)
BU 6
SC L
All or major portion of transverse process removed from rest of element. Frequency indicates number of pieces only.
BU 16
SC M
Unit consists of complete spinous process along with one or both anterior articular processes. (EMA)
BU 3
SC N
Small fragment consisting of an anterior articular process. Frequency indicates number of pieces only.
BU 2
SC O
All or most of spinous process. Posterior articular processes absent.
BU 13
SC P
Unit consists of spinous process but with crest missing; and connecting posterior portion of arch with both posterior articular processes. Anterior articular processes and body absent. Similar to BU 14. (JB)
BU 14
SC Q
Unit consists of most of spinous process but with crest missing; and connecting posterior portion of arch with one posterior articular process present. Similar to BU 13. (JB)
BU 11
SC R
Unit consists of both posterior articular processes with small connecting portion of arch minus spinous process. (TH)
BU 12
SC S
Posterior ½ of spinous process with posterior articular process. (TH)
BU 4
SC T
Small fragment consisting of a posterior articular process. Frequency indicates number of pieces only.
BU 19
SC U
Unit consists of posterior ½ of centrum, adjoining arch, and spinous process. Entire anterior portion of element including all of transverse processes absent. Bone unit not visible in illustrated drawing. Similar to BU 20. (WU)
BU 20
SC V
Unit is similar to BU 19 except that the centrum or body is not represented. The posterior portion of the arch and the spinous process are all that is present. Not visible in illustrated drawing. (QU)
BU 23
SC W
Anterior half of body only (anterior half of BU 5). (SB)
BU 24
SC X
Portion of spinous process. Articular processes absent. (SB)
BU 25
SC Y
Identifiable by curvature and shape.
BU 26
SC Z
Small portion of the transverse process.
BU 27
SC AA
Full body may or may not have anterior or posterior processes. Some transverse process present.
BU 28
SC BB
Anterior centrum.
BU 29
SC CC
Posterior centrum.