ANATOMY OF THE SPINE
THE THREE MAJOR SECTIONS OF THE SPINE
The Cervical Spine (Neck)
The cervical spine is located between the brainstem and the thoracic spine and has seven vertebrae. The vertebrae of the cervical spine are the smallest of the spine, and the most flexible. Unlike other vertebrae, the cervical vertebrae do not require discs. Located next to the brainstem, the upper cervical spine consists of two of the seven cervical vertebrae, the Atlas and the Axis. The Atlas and Axis protect the brainstem, which is responsible for much of the body’s involuntary centers, and regulates such things as heartbeat, breathing and circulation. The upper cervical spine is the most flexible area of the spine.
The Thoracic Spine (Upper Back)
The thoracic spine is located in the chest area and has twelve vertebrae. The ribs connect to the thoracic spine and within this area are many vital organs.
The Lumbar Spine (Lower Back)
The lumbar spine is below the thoracic spine and has five vertebrae – although some people have six. The lumbar vertebrae are the largest of the spine’s vertebrae and carry the most body weight. At the base of the lumbar spine and above the coccyx (tailbone) is the sacrum, a triangular bone composed of five fused sections called S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5. Sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum to two small bones in the pelvis.
ADDITIONAL SPINE DEFINITIONS TO KNOW
The Spinal Cord
The core of the nervous system, the spinal cord is a flexible pathway through which the brain communicates with the rest of the body. The spinal cord threads its way down the spine through openings in the vertebrae called vertebrae foramen. The spinal cord runs approximately eighteen inches from the base of the brain down. The spinal cord is made up of 31 segments: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal. Two nerve roots exit from each of the 31 segments of the spinal cord. These nerves roots branch out to form the Peripheral Nervous System, which is responsible for transmitting nerve impulse between the farthest regions of the body and the brain.
Ligaments
Ligaments connects bones to one another. In the spine, ligaments connect vertebrae to one another. Ligaments are fibrous tissue with limited blood supply. Because their blood supply is limited, they require extended periods of time for healing.
Spinal Alignment
Like the organs of the human body, the spine is made up of many elements that must work properly and in unison with each other. When the individual elements that comprise the spine are not functioning properly as a unit, pain, disease, and other anomalies can result. In fact, when the spine isn’t working as it should, little else in the body can work properly, either. Spinal health is the key to overall physical health. One of the most common problems that occurs in the spine is Subluxation. Subluxation is a big word that simply means that the vertebrae are misaligned or stressed during moving. Chiropractic specializes in re-aligning misaligned vertebrae and rehabilitating normal motion. When vertebrae alignment is corrected, pain is often relieved.
Spinal Column
The spinal column is different than an arm or leg bone. In fact, the spinal column isn’t one bone, but many small bones intricately interlocked together to form a flexible, strong, and yet fragile column that runs between the base of the base of the skull to the sacrum. The small bones that form the spinal column are called vertebrae. Vertebrae are not static, but flex and move as you move.
Discs & Facet Joints
Vertebrae are connected by a disc and two small joints called facet joints. Facet joints allow the spine to bend and twist. Discs, which are cartilage pads, act as a spongy cushions between vertebrae to keep them from rubbing against one another. Discs are comprised of a hard outer core and soft inner core. They are mostly water and soft when young, and progressively lose water and become harder with age. Discs don’t have a blood supply. Instead, they get their nutrients and hydration in a fashion similar to a sponge, via a process called diffusion. Movement, especially as people age, is necessary to help diffusion and disc health. It is also worth noting that since discs don’t have a blood supply or an extensive nerve structure, they are unable to repair themselves when damaged. When vertebrae are thrown out of alignment, a condition called Subluxation, discs can be injured and/or their positions shifted. Either scenario can result in pain.
Spinal Manipulation or Adjustment
Spinal Manipulation is the careful use of therapeutic massage like pressure and the movement of the bone and joints to achieve the proper alignment and flexibility of the vertebrae. Proper spinal alignment relieves strain and pressure on the nerves within and near the spine which permits the body to communicate with itself better, and which facilitates the body’s natural healing ability. For more information on the treatments Chiropractic care offers, contact us for a free consultation.