The bottom of the spine is called the sacrum. It is made up of several vertebral bodies usually fused together as one. The remaining small bones or ossicles below the sacrum are also fused together and called the tailbone or coccyx. The spine above the sacrum consists of:. The spinal column combines strong bones, unique joints, flexible ligaments and tendons, large muscles and highly sensitive nerves. While many of us take the benefits of a healthy spine for granted, spinal pain is a sharp reminder of how much we depend on our back in daily life.
Some causes of spinal pain include:. The spinal column is made up of many parts, all designed to help the back move flexibly, support body weight and protect the spinal cord and nerves. These parts include the:. The vertebrae in this section are labeled T1 to T12 and serve as attachments for the rib cage. The lumbar section is located between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum.
The five lumbar vertebrae, labeled L1 to L5, are the main weight-bearing section of the spinal column. The sacrum is the section located at the base of the spine. It does not have discs separating the vertebrae, because its five levels, S1 to S5, are fused together. The pelvis is connected to the spinal column at the sacrum section. The coccyx is at the very base of the spinal column and is made of four vertebrae that are fused together.
The spine is normally a straight line when viewed from the back. If the spine curves to one side or the other, this indicates a condition named scoliosis. However, the spine does have some normal, gradual curves when viewed from the side.
The neck and lumbar sections of the spine have a lordotic curve, which means that they curve inward. These spinal curves help maintain balance while upright and support the weight of the head and upper body.
However, too much curvature may cause spinal imbalance, causing spinal conditions that may result in pain or loss of mobility. Normal adult spines are positioned over the pelvis, so upright posture doesn't strain muscles. Common Spine Disorders See List. What is Neurosurgery. Read Here. Let us tell you. Neurosurgical Spine Peripheral Nerves. Surgical and Support Team Miroslav P. Bobek, M. David H. The diameter ranges from 13 mm in the cervical and lumbar regions to 6.
The cord is protected within the spinal canal and runs from the brainstem to the lumbar area where the cord fibres separate. The fibres then continue down through the canal to the sacrum and coccyx where they branch off to legs.
The spinal nerves act as phone lines carrying messages back and forth between the body and spinal cord to control sensation and movement. The spinal cord serves as an information highway, relaying messages between the brain and the body. Damage to the spinal cord may result in a loss of sensory and motor function below the level of injury. Back muscles stabilize the spine and support proper alignment of the vertebrae. The three types of back muscles that help the spine function are extensors, flexors and obliques:.
Facet joints make the spine flexible and enable us to bend and twist. Each vertebra has four facet joints, one pair that connects to the vertebra above and one below. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord through these joints to other body parts. Healthy facet joints have cartilage, which allows vertebrae to move smoothly against each other without grinding.
Each joint is lubricated with synovial fluid for additional protection against wear and tear. The system of ligaments in the spinal column combined with the tendons and muscles provides a natural brace to help protect the spine from injury while allowing flexion, extension, and rotation. Ligaments of the spine are strong fibrous bands that hold the vertebrae together. Tendons are similar to ligaments in characteristics, except they connect the muscles to bones.
This sums up our mini anatomy lesson, we hope you enjoyed it. Looking to improve your back health? Feel free to consult a local chiropractor about your options.
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