1

Normal Radiographic
Anatomy of the Spinal
Column
Sarah Tibbs, BVetMed
Radiography of the Spine
Anatomy is complex
Many structures overlap complicating
interpretation
Because of beam divergence the edges of
film are effected by obliquity
Radiographic interpretation is
compromised by poor positioning
Radiography of the Spine
Always take orthogonal views lateral and
ventrodorsal (VD)
Add oblique views if necessary
Consider dynamic views (extended and flexed)
in the cervical and lumbo-sacral regions
Image each region separately, with the beam
centered over the middle of that region
Image certain areas with more collimation (i.e.
caudal cervical, thoracolumbar, lumbo-sacral)
Positioning
Vertebral column must
be parallel to the table
top
The transverse process
of the vertebrae should
be perpendicular to the
table
Proper patient positioning is CRITICAL
Proper positioning requires anesthesia, ties
for the limbs and sponge wedges
Intervertebral disc spaces must be
perpendicular to the table top (not oblique)
Vertebral Anatomy
Example here is a
cervical vertebra
Think
Lamina as the roof
Pedicles as the walls
Body as the floor
Vertebral appearance
varies somewhat by
region, but basic parts
are the same
How to Count the Cervical
Vertebrae
6 7
5
4
3
2 1
Landmarks
Atlas C1
Axis C2
C6 with large transverse processes
2
How to Count the Thoracic
Vertebrae
Landmarks
T1 is actually just caudal to the first rib heads
T13 is the one with the last rib heads
1
13
12
7
10
9
8
11
6
5
4
3 2
L1
L2
L3
C7
C6
How to Count the Lumbar
Vertebrae
Landmarks
Use the sacrum to help you find L7 and then count
backwards
Or find T13 and count forwards
4
3
7
6
5
2
1
T13 T12
Sacrum
General Spinal Anatomy
1. Body
2. Vertebral endplates
3. Lamina
4. Spinous process
5. Transverse
processes
6. Cranial articular
process
7. Caudal articular
process
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
General Spinal Anatomy
General Spinal Anatomy
Articular facet joint space
Spinal canal
Intervertebral disc space
Intervertebral foramen
1. Cranial articular
process
2. Caudal articular
process
3. Intervertebral disc
space
4. Body
5. Endplates
6. Spinous process
7. Transverse processes
8. Pedicles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
General Spinal Anatomy
3
General Spinal Anatomy Cervical Spine
Positioning
head extended
front limbs pulled
caudally
wedge under
mid-cervical region
Lateral Cervical Spine Positioning in Cervical Spine
Well positioned
Poorl y positioned
VD Cervical Spine Cervical Spine
Seven vertebrae with
variable structure
C1 or atlas
wide wings
C2 or axis
long thin dorsal
spinous process
dens with special
ligaments
No disc between C1-
C2
4
Cervical Spine
C3-C7 similar in shape
C6 has expanded transverse
processes
Intervertebral disc spaces at
C2-3 and C7-T1 are relatively
narrow*
*
*
Thoracic Spine
Positioning
front limbs pulled
cranially
hind limbs pulled
caudally
wedge under sternum
Lateral Thoracic Spine VD Thoracic Spine
Thoracic spine
Thirteen vertebrae uniform in shape
Variable dorsal spinous processes
Anticlinal vertebra T 11 *
Articular facet conformation changes at T10-11
Intervertebral disc space narrowest at T10-11
*
Lumbar Spine
Positioning
front limbs pulled
cranially
hind limbs pulled
caudally
5
Lateral Lumbar Spine VD Lumbar Spine
Lumbar spine
Seven lumbar vertebrae
Accessory process
Cranioventrally angled transverse processes
L3* and L4* site of attachment of diaphragmatic crura
*
*
Feline Differences
Curvature of spine
Shape of vertebral bodies
Very prominent accessory process
Canine
Myelogram
A special procedure to evaluate the spinal cord,
when survey radiography is inconclusive
Aqueous non ionic iodinated contrast media is
injected into the subarachnoid space
Standard lateral and VD views, as well as
oblique VDs are obtained of the area of interest
Herniated disc T13 L1
Clinical Correlation
6
Spinal Column Fracture and
Luxation
Spinal Column Subluxation and
Vertebral body fracture
Discospondylitis
Spondylosis and Articular Facet
Osteoarthitis
13.5 y old Golden
Mineralized Disc Material
(IVDD- Intervertebral Disc Disease)
Vertebral Anomalies
Block Vertebrae Butterfly Vertebra
7
Aplastic Dens
Normal