Final answer:
The short thick bony processes projecting posteriorly from superior aspects of vertebral bodies are called spinous processes, which are important for muscle attachment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The short thick bony processes that project posteriorly from the lateral and superior aspects of vertebral bodies in typical vertebrae are known as spinous processes. These processes can be palpated down the midline of the back and are important for muscle attachment. The lumbar vertebrae, in particular, are known to support a significant amount of body weight and have these short, blunt spinous processes that are essential aspects of the vertebral structure.