A typical vertebra is made of:

a body:

thick disc-shaped anterior part of the vertebra. It is the weight bearing part of the vertebra. As you go down the vertebral column, the body of the vertebrae will get thicker because the weight that those vertebrae have to bear increases.

an arch:

it is attached to the posterior part of the body. Arch and posterior part of the body form a ring that surrounds and protects the spinal cord. The space (between the body and the arch) that contains the spinal cord is called the vertebral foramen. The vertebral foramina of all the vertebrae of the vertebral column form the vertebral canal.

seven processes:

they arise from the arch.There are
- 2 transverse processes - that extend lateraly on each side.
- 1 spinous process - that extend posteriorly. You can feel them when you run your fingers on your own spine on your back.
- 2 superior articular processes - they extend upward and articulate with the vertebra immediately superior to them.
- 2 inferior articular processes - they extend downward and articulate with the vertebra immediately inferior to them.

The joint surfaces on vertebrae are called facets

Look at vertebrae when they are stacked together.

From the first vertebra to the sacrum , adjacent vertebrae are separated from each other by a cartilaginous intervertebral disc located between their bodies. These discs form strong joints. Because they are slightly elastic, they permit movements (the vertebral column is not a rigid rod) and they absorb vertical shocks.

Lateral openings exist between adjacent vertebrae through which the spinal nerves exit fron the vertebral canal. They are called the intervertebral foramen.

Careful: Make sure that you do not mistake vertebral foramen and intervertebral foramen.