![]() If you envision the spinal canal as an interstate highway, you can imagine the foramen as highway exits. How to Recognize Cauda Equina Syndrome Vertebral Column and Spinal Nerves Near L1 and the sacrum, the spinal cord ends and becomes a fanlike wisp of nerves called the cauda equina resembling a horse’s tail. After the nerve root exits the spinal column, it branches out into the peripheral nervous system-that serves the entire body head to toe. Each foraminal space is created on the left and right sides of an intervertebral disc, which is anchored between 2 vertebral bodies. ![]() Small nerve roots branch off from the spinal cord and exit the vertebral column through foramen, also called foramina or neuroforamen. The vertebral structures form a continuous round hollow space that houses the spinal cord from the cervical through lumbar spine. The vertebral column serves to protect the spinal cord and nerve roots, which are part of the central nervous system that starts at the base of the brain. Back Spasms Vertebral Column Protects the Spinal Nerves The ligaments act like stretchy-like tension cords that allow the spine’s bones, discs and joints ( facet joints) to move within a limited range.Īnd, of course, small and large spinal muscles and tendons help stabilize and strengthen the vertebral column while supporting and limiting extreme bending, flexing and twisting movements. Photo Source: .ĭifferent types of spinal ligaments-strong, tough, bands of tissue-connect the vertebrae, discs and facet joints to help stabilize and support the spinal column at rest and during movement. The vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs and facet joints are illustrated to show how these structures work together to support the spinal column and enable movement. Cartilage coats the joint surfaces ensuring smooth movement. Similar to other joints in the body, each facet joint is encased in a capsule of connective tissue that produces a nourishing fluid that lubricates the joint. These joints help stabilize the spine while allowing flexion (bending forward), extension (bending backward) and twisting movement (called articulation). Sometimes these joints are called zygapophyseal or apophyseal joints. Herniated Disc: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatmentįacet joints are paired (left, right sides) at the back of each vertebral body (C3-L5). Notably, there is no spinal disc between C1 and C2, nor is there a disc between the sacrum and the coccyx. These discs act as interbody spacers and shock absorbers. Each disc is similar to a fibrous pad of tissue (called fibrocartilage) and anchored in place by vertebral endplates (called cartilaginous endplates) starting at C3 through L5-sacrum. To maintain its double-S shape, provide skeletal support and route the nerves where they need to go, the spine also relies on a number of supporting structures.įirst among these structures are the spinal discs, called intervertebral discs. The spinal column doesn’t consist only of bones. Spine Movement Enablers and Stabilizers: Discs, Facet Joints, Ligaments, Muscles The lower lumbar spine (orange) connects to the sacrum (red) the coccyx, or tailbone is below the sacral spine. Although the tailbone is very small and may seem insignificant, it plays an important role in supporting your weight when you sit. Sometimes the coccyx is termed the coccygeal vertebrae. Immediately below the sacrum are 3 to 5 small bones that naturally fuse together at adulthood forming the coccyx or tailbone. The sacrum connects to the pelvis at the left and right sides by the sacroiliac joints (SI joints). The sacrum sits between the hip bones (called iliac bones) and forms the back of the pelvis. The sacrum (or sacral spine) is a triangular-shaped bone located below the last lumbar spinal vertebrae. ![]() This structure gives the spinal column great strength and shock-absorbing qualities. The cervical vertebrae gently curve inward, while the thoracic spine curves gently outward, followed by the lumbar spine, which curves inward again. Lumbar spine: 5 vertebrae of the lower back (L1-L5)Ī normal vertebral column creates a graceful, double-S curve when viewed from the side of the body. Thoracic spine: 12 vertebrae of the mid-back (T1-T12) The vertebral column can be divided into 5 regions:Ĭervical spine: 7 vertebrae of the neck (C1-C7) When most people talk about the spinal column, they’re actually referring to the vertebral column: the 24 circular vertebrae that march down the middle of the back. The entire spinal column consists of 24 individual bones called vertebrae (singular vertebra), plus 2 sections of naturally fused vertebrae-the sacrum and the coccyx-located at the very bottom of the spine. Structures and regions of the vertebral spinal column.
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