Final answer:
A typical vertebra includes a body for weight-bearing support and a vertebral arch that encompasses the spinal cord, with the spinous process being the most noticeable projection. The transverse processes and articular processes permit muscle attachment and spinal movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
A typical vertebra consists of several components vital for its function and structure. The main parts include an enlarged anterior portion called the body, which provides weight-bearing support and the vertebral arch consisting of paired pedicles and laminae. The arch forms a protective canal for the spinal cord known as the vertebral foramen. Projecting from the arch are the spinous process, transverse processes, and articular processes.
The spinous process is a posteriorly oriented projection at the midline, providing an attachment site for muscles and ligaments. The transverse processes jut out laterally from the point where the pedicles and laminae join, also serving as muscle attachment points. The superior and inferior articular processes allow for articulation with adjacent vertebrae, forming movable joints and defining the range of spinal motion.
Furthermore, the vertebral arch protects the spinal cord as it passes through the vertebral foramen, and the spinal nerves exit through the intervertebral foramina located between adjacent vertebrae. Intervertebral discs are between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae and contribute to spinal stability and flexibility.