Thoracic and lumbar vertebrae

1. What makes up the anterior potion of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?
2. What makes up the posterior portion of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?
3. What is sacralization?
4. What is the 3-joint complex formed by the two lumbar vertebrae?

Answers:
1. Vertebral bodies (with articulations for the ribs on the thoracic vertebrae).
2. Pedicles, superior and inferior articular processes, laminae, transverse processes, spinous processes.
3. Anomalous fusion of 5th lumbar vertebrae with sacrum.
4. First jt is between the 2 vertebral bodies, other 2 joints are zygapophyseal (facet) jts between the articular processes.