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Spinal column | Cervical spine | Lumbar spine and sacrum | Healthy disc | Muscles | Joints
To communicate with your back doctor, it helps to know the terms used during your physician visit. Just like dentists have a unique number to identify each tooth, a spine doctor has a labeling system for each link on the chain that makes up the spinal column. To clear things up a bit, here is a "crash course" in spine anatomy.
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When viewed from the side, a healthy spinal column, is slightly S-shaped.
The top seven vertebrae are known as the cervical vertebrae labeled C1
through C7.
The chest area contains the thoracic vertebrae, T-1 through T-12. The
thoracic vertebrae do not rotate as much as the neck and low back. Consequently,
this area of the spine is more stable and is generally less susceptible
to injury. Relatively few back pain cases involve the T-level vertebrae.
Below the thoracic vertebrae are the five lumbar vertebrae and below
that is the sacrum. The lumbar vertebrae are labeled, L1 to L5. This
lumbar area is the most prone to injury. This is because it bears so
much weight whenever we sit, stand, push, pull or lift.
Below the lumbar spine area is a series of fused bones known as the sacrum.
At the bottom tip of the spinal column structure is the coccyx, in layman's
terms, the tail bone.
Each rounded vertebra body has components: pedicels and laminae, the
facet joints, and the bony transverse and spinous processes, which are
the narrow, finger-like spikes pointing out from the sides and back of
the vertebra.
This tower is held in place by surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons
that act as supporting guy wires. When working properly, the spine is
able bend and twist. When muscles and ligaments get weak, that is when
problems arise with the stability of the spine. Muscles and ligaments
can strain, or discs and facet joints can be injured.
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The cervical vertebrae
make up the neck. Each vertebra in the cervical region is labeled C-1
through C-7. The cervical vertebrae protect the spinal cord that attaches
to the brain.
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The spinal cord
Within this column of vertebrae is the spinal cord which travels from the brain stem down through the back. The spinal cord acts as our main electrical wiring system and is protected by the bony vertebrae. At every vertebrae level, there are nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord. When a disc herniates, it can crimp or pressure these nerve roots, which can cause excruciating pain that radiates into an arm or leg.
Nerve impingements in the cervical area can cause pain to radiate into the shoulder and arm. When discs are injured in the low back area, pain can radiate into the legs.
The lumbar area, or low back, contains L-1 through L-5, the largest, sturdiest group of vertebrae. But because it bears most of the body's weight as we sit, stand, push, pull, lift, and move, the lumbar section is considered the most injury-prone area of the spine. The spinal cord threads from the brain down through the spine and ends at about L-2, after which it forms a bundle of nerves known as the cauda equina (Latin for 'horse's tail'). From the neck area to the coccyx, are 31 pairs of nerve roots that exit the spinal canal and head for remote areas of the body through vertebral portals called foramina. At the base of L-5 is a solid mass of five fused bones called the sacrum (pronounced 'say-crum'). Finally, the spinal column ends at the coccyx (pronounced 'cock-six'), or tailbone, which is actually several small bones fused together.
Click on image to enlarge
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Click on image to enlarge |
In a lot of ways, the spinal disc is like a jelly
doughnut. The "jelly"
of the doughnut is known as the "disc nucleus" and the material
that encases the "jelly" is called the disc annulus. The disc
act likes a rubber shock absorber between the vertebrae. The facet joints
act like a hinge allowing for twisting and turning of the spinal column.
The spinal cord threads through from top to bottom like a telephone wire
system.
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The muscles in the back
provide support for the spine, allowing us to be able to move comfortably
in all our everyday activities. The muscles in our backs can be categorized
into three main categories: one group (extensor muscles) helps us to
stand up straight, a second group (flexor muscles) allows us to bend
forward, and a final group of muscles (oblique muscles) allows us to
rotate side to side and keep everything stable and in proper alignment.
If you think of the spine as a tall radio tower that must withstand the
force of crosswinds, the muscles and ligaments on the back are the guy
wires that provide the support to the tower. The extensor muscles enable
us to arch our back backwards and are located in the back. Flexor muscles
are also known as abdominal (stomach) muscles, and are located in front
of the spine. The oblique muscles are located on our sides, right around
the waist area, and help to stabilize our torsos and control the pelvis.
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Joints
Facet joints are the main "hinges" in our backs, allowing the muscles
and vertebrae to move properly. The joints can lose their lubrication
or swell and cause pain, but if well "oiled" by exercise and gentle stretching,
the joints remain healthy and usually cause no problems.
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Need
more information on back and neck pain?
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