The lower back vertebrae
Lumbar vertebrae (L1–L5) · vertebrae lumbales
Five big, chunky vertebrae in the small of your back that carry most of your upper body weight.
What it does
The lumbar vertebrae are the largest in the spine because they hold up everything above them. They allow you to bend forward, back and to the side, but they rotate very little. The cushioning discs between them are the thickest in the back.
Surprising fact
The bottom two lumbar discs are where most slipped discs happen, which is why so much back pain is felt low down and why it can shoot into one leg.
Why it matters
Lower back pain is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Bending your knees to lift lets your leg muscles take the load instead of these five bones and their discs.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.