Back and Spinal Cord

Back and Spinal Cord
Bones and Joints
Vertebral Column:
Typically, the vertebral column comprises 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5
sacral (fused), and 4 coccygeal (last 3 fused) vertebrae.
Primary curvatures of the vertebral column include the thoracic curvature and
sacral curvature. Secondary curvatures include the cervical curvature and lumbar
curvature. Secondary curvatures develop during infancy as children begin to bear
the weight of the head, sit up, stand, and support their own weight.
The cervical and lumbar spine allow for greater movement than the other regions
of the vertebral column.
Note from the illustration that intervertebral discs separate individual bodies of
the adjacent vertebrae (except between the first 2 cervical vertebrae, atlas and
axis, and the fused sacrum and coccyx).
Cervical Vertebrae:
The cervical vertebrae are the atlas and axis.
The cervical spine allows for considerable movement.
A typical cervical vertebra has a body, pedicle, lamina, and spinous
process.
The transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae contain the transverse
foramen, which allows for passage of the vertebral vessels.
The lower illustration shows the articulated cervical vertebrae from C2 to
C7 and the 1st thoracic vertebra. The 7th cervical vertebra is called the
vertebra prominens because of its long spinous process. The intervertebral
discs between adjacent vertebrae have been removed.
Thoracic Vertebrae:
Typical thoracic vertebrae have costal facets. The superior costal
facet articulates with the head of the corresponding rib, the inferior
facet articulates with the rib below, and the transverse costal facet
articulates with the tubercle of the corresponding rib.
The body, pedicle, and lamina enclose the vertebral foramen, which
houses the spinal cord and its meningeal coverings.
The spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae are long and
oriented posteriorly.
The thoracic region of the spine allows for some movement but is
constrained by the articulation of the ribs to the vertebrae posteriorly
and the sternum anteriorly.
Lumbar Vertebra:
Typical lumbar vertebrae have large bodies and massive transverse
processes. They support the weight of the trunk and provide attachment
sites for muscles of the trunk and back.
The lumbar region of the spine allows for considerable movement (flexion,
extension, lateral bending, and rotation). Although lumbar vertebrae have
long transverse processes for muscle attachment, they do not articulate
with ribs.
Lumbar Vertebrae:
Typical thoracic vertebrae have costal facets. The superior costal facet
articulates with the head of the corresponding rib, the inferior facet
articulates with the rib below, and the transverse costal facet articulates
with the tubercle of the corresponding rib.
The body, pedicle, and lamina enclose the vertebral foramen, which houses
the spinal cord and its meningeal coverings.
The spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae are long and oriented
posteriorly.
The thoracic region of the spine allows for some movement but is
constrained by the articulation of the ribs to the vertebrae posteriorly and
the sternum anteriorly.
Vertebral Ligaments: Lumbar Region

Intervertebral discs form secondary cartilaginous joints (symphyses)
between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae. They are secured by the anterior
and posterior longitudinal ligaments. There is no disc between the atlas
and axis.
Ligaments of the vertebral column include the anterior and posterior
longitudinal ligaments. The former run along the anterior surfaces of the
vertebral bodies. The latter run along the posterior surfaces. The
ligamentum flavum connects adjacent laminae and limits flexion.
Supraspinous (limit flexion) and interspinous (weak ligaments) ligaments
run between adjacent spinous processes.
The anterior longitudinal ligaments limit extension of the vertebral column;
the posterior longitudinal ligaments limit flexion. The anterior longitudinal
ligament is stronger than the posterior longitudinal ligament. The ligamenta
flava helps support an upright posture.
Sacrum and Coccyx:
The wedge-shaped sacrum represents the 5 fused sacral vertebrae.

Because it forms the posterior aspect of the pelvis, it provides stability and
strength to the pelvic architecture.
Four pairs of anterior and posterior sacral foramina provide exits for the
ventral and dorsal rami of spinal nerves.
The coccyx is also a wedge-shaped bone; the 1st coccygeal segment is not
fused, but the remaining 3 vertebrae are fused.

Back and Spinal Cord

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Back and Spinal Cord

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Back and Spinal Cord

Bones and Joints

Vertebral Ligaments: Lumbar Region

Sacrum and Coccyx:

The wedge-shaped sacrum represents the 5 fused sacral vertebrae.

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