Spinal column
Spinal Column
The spinal column, also known as the vertebral column or backbone, is a complex structure in the human body that plays a crucial role in supporting the body and protecting the spinal cord. It is composed of a series of bones known as vertebrae, which are separated by intervertebral discs.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The spinal column is divided into five regions: the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, the lumbar spine, the sacrum, and the coccyx. Each region has a different number of vertebrae and serves a unique function.
Cervical Spine[edit | edit source]
The cervical spine is located in the neck and consists of seven vertebrae, labeled C1 to C7. The first two vertebrae, C1 and C2, are specialized to allow for a greater range of motion in the neck.
Thoracic Spine[edit | edit source]
The thoracic spine is located in the chest area and consists of 12 vertebrae, labeled T1 to T12. These vertebrae are larger than the cervical vertebrae and have facets for the attachment of the rib cage.
Lumbar Spine[edit | edit source]
The lumbar spine is located in the lower back and consists of five vertebrae, labeled L1 to L5. These vertebrae are the largest and strongest in the spinal column, as they carry the most weight.
Sacrum[edit | edit source]
The sacrum is a triangular bone located at the base of the spine. It is formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae.
Coccyx[edit | edit source]
The coccyx, also known as the tailbone, is the final segment of the vertebral column. It is formed by the fusion of four coccygeal vertebrae.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the spinal column is to protect the spinal cord, which is the main pathway for communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal column also provides structural support for the body, allowing us to stand upright, bend, and twist.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Conditions affecting the spinal column can have significant impacts on a person's quality of life. These conditions include spinal stenosis, herniated disc, scoliosis, and spinal cord injury.
| Spinal column Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
