Answer:
The easiest way is to take in cosideration the volume: the lumbar vertebra has a bigger volume than the cervical vertebrae. Also Lumbar vertebrae support more weight bearing than cervical vertebrae. They can be distinguished from cervical vertebrae because they do not have the foramen transversaruim within the transverse process. They also do not have facets on the sides of the body. Cervical vertebrae are immediately below the skull and support the neck. Cervical vertebrae also have a foramen in each transverse process, unlike thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.