[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) › L2 vertebra [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) # L2 vertebra L2 is the second lumbar (lower-back) vertebra; its large body carries the weight of the upper body and lets the lower back bend. Official name: L2 [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=spine&select=l2&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The L2 lower-back vertebra, with a large body built to carry weight. ## What it does Carries the weight of the upper body and, with the disc and facet joints, lets the lower back bend forward and back. ## Key points - Because the conus can end as low as L2–L3 in some adults, lumbar punctures are made below L2 - The right crus of the [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/) attaches down to L3 and the left to L2 - Upper lumbar disc herniations (L2–L3, L3–L4) press on the [femoral nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-nerve/) roots: front thigh pain, weak quadriceps, reduced knee reflex ## Key facts **Joints with** L1 above and L3 below (intervertebral discs, facet joints) **Landmarks** Large [kidney](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/) -shaped body; no costal facets or transverse foramina; mammillary processes; lower limit of conus medullaris (varies T12–L3); diaphragm crura attach to L1–L3 bodies ## Relations **In front** [Abdominal aorta](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abdominal-aorta/) with the renal arteries leaving at about L1–L2, the [left renal vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-renal-vein/) crossing in front of it, the [inferior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vena-cava/) to the right and the [cisterna chyli](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cisterna-chyli/) beside the right crus **Lateral** [Psoas major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/psoas-major/) with the [lumbar plexus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lumbar-plexus/) forming inside it; the [sympathetic trunk](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sympathetic-trunk/) on the front of the bodies along the edge of the psoas **Behind** [Quadratus lumborum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/quadratus-lumborum-muscle/) attaches to the tips of the transverse processes; erector spinae and [multifidus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/multifidus-muscles/) under the [thoracolumbar fascia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thoracolumbar-fascia/) **Contents** [Cauda equina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cauda-equina/): lumbar and sacral roots floating in the dural sac below the [conus medullaris](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/conus-medullaris/) ## How to find it The L2 [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) is counted up two from L4, found on the line across the tops of the iliac crests; in a thick back it is easier to count up from the lumbosacral junction on a lateral X-ray. ## Examination - Femoral nerve stretch test: lying prone, the knee is bent and the hip extended; front thigh pain suggests irritation of the L2–L4 roots ## On imaging Lateral and AP lumbar radiographs; level counting starts at the [sacrum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sacrum/), and a whole-spine sagittal MRI scout helps when there is a transitional vertebra. At the thoracolumbar junction CT shows burst fractures and fragments pushed back into the canal. Sagittal MRI shows the conus tip, often near L1–L2, and any cord or ligament injury. ## Common problems - Disc degeneration and herniation at [L4-L5](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/l4-l5/), the most common level for back and leg pain. - Degenerative spondylolisthesis: L4 slips forward on L5, often with stenosis (more common in women over 50). - Spinal stenosis: the canal narrows from disc bulging, facet arthritis and a thick [ligamentum flavum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ligamenta-flava/). - Compression fractures from osteoporosis or injury. ## How it is diagnosed X-rays (standing, and bending forward and back) show alignment and slipping. MRI shows discs, nerves and stenosis. CT shows bone detail. ## Treatment - Most back pain improves with staying active, physical therapy and pain medicine. - Stenosis with leg pain when walking that does not improve: decompression (laminectomy). - Slipping with instability: decompression plus fusion with screws, rods, a cage and bone graft. ## Clinical notes - Lumbar sympathetic ganglia on the front of the L2–L4 bodies are the target of lumbar sympathetic blocks for some leg pain syndromes and poor limb circulation - Psoas abscess (from spinal tuberculosis, Crohn disease or the kidney) collects beside these bodies; the hip is held flexed and extending it hurts (psoas sign) - Upper lumbar fractures from high-energy trauma may come with injuries to the kidneys or the renal vessels in front ## Anatomical variants - The adult conus medullaris ends anywhere from about T12 to L3, most often near the [L1–L2 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/l1-l2/); this spread is why needles for lumbar puncture go below L2 ## Related conditions - [Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/osteoporotic-vertebral-compression-fracture/) - [Scoliosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/scoliosis/) - [Osteoporosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/osteoporosis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why are lumbar punctures made below the L2 vertebra? Because the conus medullaris can end as low as L2–L3 in some adults. ## Which nerve roots do upper lumbar disc herniations at L2–L3 and L3–L4 compress, and what are the signs? The femoral nerve roots: front thigh pain, weak quadriceps and a reduced knee reflex. ## How is the femoral nerve stretch test done, and what does a positive test suggest? Lying prone, the knee is bent and the hip extended; front thigh pain suggests irritation of the L2–L4 roots. ## How does a psoas abscess beside the L2 vertebra show on examination? The hip is held flexed and extending it hurts (psoas sign). [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/lumbar-vertebra-spine-and-pelvis/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** vertebra lumbalis II TA2 1068 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Vértebra lumbar L2 DeCS D008159 **English (TA2)** L2 ## Related - [L1–L2 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/l1-l2/) - [L2–L3 disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/l2-l3/) - [Lumbar arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lumbar-arteries/) - [Anterior longitudinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-longitudinal-ligament/) - [Diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/) - [Endplates](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-endplates/) - [Low-back facet joints](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/zygapophysial-joints-spine-and-pelvis/) - [Interspinales](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/interspinales-muscles/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=8334&filter=ths_termall&q=V%C3%A9rtebras%20Lumbares); [Anatomy, Back, Lumbar Spine](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557616/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lumbar-vertebra-spine-and-pelvis/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lumbar-vertebra-spine-and-pelvis/