Inside the spine:exploring its anatomy and functions

Your spine is an extraordinary feat of biological engineering, designed to move, support, protect, weight-bear, absorb shock, and more. Understanding this intricate marvel helps you know your body better.

Spinal regions
The spine has five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx.

• The cervical section, or neck, comprised of seven bones.
• The thoracic section, or middle back, consists of twelve bones, each with two attached ribs.
• The lumbar section, or lower back, has five bones.
• The sacrum sits under the lumbar spine between your pelvic bones. It typically consists of five bones that fuse during early adulthood.
• The coccyx, or tailbone, contains up to four bones, sometimes completely fused.

​Each spine bone is called a vertebra, and the vertebrae in each region are given a number. For example, most people have five bones in the lumbar region named L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. L1 is the uppermost lumbar vertebra, and L5 is the lowermost vertebra. This numbering is for identification purposes, used to identify and record “problem” spots accurately.

Vertebral shapes
Each vertebra in the spine has a distinct shape that corresponds to its specific function. For example, the first cervical vertebra (C1) is ring-like with a hole in the centre. In contrast, the tailbone is triangular. These structural differences enable your spine to support a range of movements and functions.

The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae have a thick, solid section at the front called the vertebral body, which supports most of your body's weight. Two bony "arms" extend from the vertebral body and connect at the back, forming a space for the spinal cord. Small holes on the sides of the vertebrae allow nerves to exit from the spinal cord, enabling communication between it and the rest of your body.

Spinal discs
The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar bones have an intervertebral disc (IVD) between them, with the exception of C1 and C2.
The IVD is a rubbery cushion with a softer inner and tough outer section. The disc connects vertebrae, allows safe movement, absorbs shock, and helps your spine to work well. Additionally, some people have discs between the sacral and coccygeal bones.

Long and short ligaments connect the vertebrae, while long and short muscles, which are primarily responsible for the movement of the spine, allow for bending, twisting, and other movements.

Spinal injury and care
Some spinal areas are more difficult to damage and treat due to anatomical differences and location. For instance, the thoracic region is less prone to injury compared to the lumbar region because the ribcage provides stability and protection. Conversely, treating the coccyx can be more complex because it’s very small and situated in a difficult-to-access area. Please feel free to reach out for more information - spine health is our passion!