The basilar vertebra is a crucial bone in the spine. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which uses symbols to represent sounds in words. In IPA, the word "basilar" is pronounced as /ˈbæsələr/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "i" in "basilar" is pronounced as a short "i" sound, while the "a" is pronounced as a short "a" sound. "Vertebra" is pronounced as /ˈvɜrtəbrə/, with the stress on the first syllable, and the "e" is pronounced as a short "e" sound.
Basilar vertebra refers to one of the specific vertebrae in the human spinal column, located in the lower part of the spine known as the sacrum. The sacrum is a triangular bone situated between the two hip bones, and it consists of five fused vertebrae, referred to as S1 to S5. S1 is the first sacral vertebra, closest to the lumbar vertebrae in the spine, while S5 is the last sacral vertebra, closest to the coccyx, or tailbone.
The term "basilar vertebra" specifically refers to the widest and heaviest sacral vertebra in the sacrum, which is usually the first sacral vertebra, S1. It forms the base or foundation of the sacrum, resembling a broad plate. The basilar vertebra connects the spine to the pelvic girdle and provides stability and support to the entire skeletal structure. Its size and shape help distribute the weight of the upper body and transfer it to the pelvis and lower limbs.
The basilar vertebra also exhibits specific anatomical features. It has a large, triangular body with broad lateral surfaces, and it is thicker and heavier compared to the other sacral vertebrae due to its primary role in weight-bearing. The basilar vertebra also has sacral foramina, which are openings for the passage of nerves from the spinal cord. Additionally, it articulates with the last lumbar vertebra above it and forms a joint with the hip bone called the sacroiliac joint.
The lowest lumbar vertebra.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "basilar" comes from the Latin term "basis", meaning base, and it is derived from the Ancient Greek word "βάσις" (basis), also meaning the base or foundation. "Vertebra" has Latin origins as well and is derived from the word "vertebrae", which means a joint or a part of the spine. Thus, "basilar vertebra" refers to the vertebra at the base of the spine.