Spinal Anatomy Center | Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar … (2025)

The spinal column (vertebral column or backbone) provides both structural and nervous system support for your entire body. Made up of 34 bones, the spinal column holds the body upright, allows it to bend and twist with ease and provides a conduit for major nerves running from the brain to the tips of the toesand everywhere in between.

Here we explain the basics about spinal anatomy to help you understand your back or neck pain, the doctors diagnosis and treatment plan, and 10 steps you can take today to help prevent a spine problem.

Structures and regions of the vertebral spinal column. Photo Source: Shutterstock.com.

The entire spinal column consists of 24 individual bones called vertebrae (singular vertebra), plus 2 sections of naturally fused vertebraethe sacrum and the coccyxlocated at the very bottom of the spine. When most people talk about the spinal column, theyre actually referring to the vertebral column: the 24 circular vertebrae that march down the middle of the back.

The vertebral column can be divided into 5 regions:

A normal vertebral column creates a graceful, double-S curve when viewed from the side of the body. The cervical vertebrae gently curve inward, while the thoracic spine curves gently outward, followed by the lumbar spine, which curves inward again. This structure gives the spinal column great strength and shock-absorbing qualities.

The sacrum (or sacral spine) is a triangular-shaped bone located below the last lumbar spinal vertebrae. The sacrum sits between the hip bones (called iliac bones) and forms the back of the pelvis. The sacrum connects to the pelvis at the left and right sides by the sacroiliac joints (SI joints).

Immediately below the sacrum are 3 to 5 small bones that naturally fuse together at adulthood forming the coccyx or tailbone. Sometimes the coccyx is termed the coccygeal vertebrae. Although the tailbone is very small and may seem insignificant, it plays an important role in supporting your weight when you sit.

The lower lumbar spine (orange) connects to the sacrum (red); the coccyx, or tailbone is below the sacral spine. Photo Source: Shutterstock.com.

The spinal column doesnt consist only of bones. 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.

First among these structures are the spinal discs, called intervertebral discs. 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. These discs act as interbody spacers and shock absorbers. Notably, there is no spinal disc between C1 and C2, nor is there a disc between the sacrum and the coccyx.

Facet joints are paired (left, right sides) at the back of each vertebral body (C3-L5). Sometimes these joints are called zygapophyseal or apophyseal joints. These joints help stabilize the spine while allowing flexion (bending forward), extension (bending backward) and twisting movement (called articulation). 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. Cartilage coats the joint surfaces ensuring smooth 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. Photo Source: Shutterstock.com.

Different types of spinal ligamentsstrong, tough, bands of tissueconnect the vertebrae, discs and facet joints to help stabilize and support the spinal column at rest and during movement. The ligaments act like stretchy-like tension cords that allow the spines bones, discs and joints (facet joints) to move within a limited range.

And, 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.

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. The vertebral structures form a continuous round hollow space that houses the spinal cord from the cervical through lumbar spine.

Small nerve roots branch off from the spinal cord and exit the vertebral column through foramen, also called foramina or neuroforamen. Each foraminal space is created on the left and right sides of an intervertebral disc, which is anchored between 2 vertebral bodies. After the nerve root exits the spinal column, it branches out into the peripheral nervous systemthat serves the entire body head to toe.

Near L1 and the sacrum, the spinal cord ends and becomes a fanlike wisp of nerves called the cauda equina resembling a horses tail.

If you envision the spinal canal as an interstate highway, you can imagine the foramen as highway exits. Each set of spinal nerves exit the spinal canal through the foramina associated with a particular part of the body that nerve system supportsnerves enable the function (motor) and feeling (sensation). For example, the nerves that provide sensation to the fingers exit the spinal canal via foramina in the cervical spinebecause that segment is located nearest the hands.

Spine specialists have a deep understanding of the nervous system, including cause and effect of spinal disorders. The patients description of their symptoms coupled with a physical and neurological examination help the spine doctor diagnose the problem (eg, sciatica) and its cause (eg, herniated disc).

Listed below are parts of the body associated with regions of the spinal column:

Detailed illustration of the human nervous system. Photo Source: Shutterstock.com.

Its never too late to implement lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk of developing a spinal disorder. Even some accidents may be preventable. These 10 spine care tips can help get you started:

Updated on: 03/03/20

Visit link:
Spinal Anatomy Center | Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar ...

'Grey's Anatomy': Deceit Rocks Grey Sloan, Link and Jo Make a Big Decision and Meredith Faces the Wrath of Richard - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo won't let 10-year-old watch Grey's Anatomy , isn't ready for her to see her in her underwear on TV - Entertainment Weekly News - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo Reveals Why She Doesn't Want Her 10-Year-Old Daughter Sienna to Watch Grey's Anatomy - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
How to watch Greys Anatomy' online for FREE without cable - PennLive - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Forget Marry Me Chicken: Links Insane Greys Anatomy Breakfast Sandwich Is the Real Deal-Closer - TVLine - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Original Grey's Anatomy Cast in Photos: Then and Now - Good Housekeeping - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Why Ellen Pompeo Wont Let Her 10-year-old Daughter Watch Greys Anatomy - Hollywood Reporter - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo's Good American Family Promos Airing During ABC's Grey's Anatomy Night Is Kind Of Trippy, But Her New Hulu Show Has Me Intrigued -... - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo explains why she doesnt want her 10-year-old daughter watching Greys Anatomy - New York Post - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 10 Review: I'm So Glad Meredith Is Back In A Refreshing Return To Form For The ABC Show - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo on Stepping Back From 'Grey's Anatomy' to Take on Natalia Grace's Story (Exclusive) - Entertainment Tonight - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo Reveals Hilarious Reason She Wont Let Her Daughter Watch Greys Anatomy - E! Online - E! NEWS - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
10 of the Biggest Feuds in Greys Anatomy History - Shondaland.com - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo Says 'Grey's Anatomy' Fans Will Be Shocked By Her Role as Natalia Grace's Adoptive Mom - Access Hollywood - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
A Guide to Security Investments: The Anatomy of a Cyberattack - SecurityWeek - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Noah Wyle Says His Kids Have Watched More Greys Anatomy Than ER : Its a Point of Contention (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Welcome from Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience - News | University College Cork - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Greys Anatomy Showrunner Reveals Whether Ellen Pompeo Will Return for Season 22 - Collider - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Sneakily Continues A Key Station 19 Story A Year After ABC Canceled The Spinoff - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Grey's Anatomy Showrunner Addresses Whether There Could Be A Future Without Any Meredith Grey - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
Greys Anatomy Actor Jason George Explains What Its Like Filming Amidst Schmitt And Yasudas Departure - CinemaBlend - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
The Magic Behind 'Grey's Anatomy': CGI, Medical Expertise, and Hollywood Tricks - Collider - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Canadians and Wayne Gretzky: Anatomy of a Relationship on Thin Ice - The New York Times - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
'Grey's Anatomy' Star Kate Walsh Shares Healthy Habits for Cancer Prevention - Healthline - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
The Anatomy of Fear: Tips on Scoring a Body Horror Movie - No Film School - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Go-to anatomy atlas featuring corpses of Nazi victims revamped by UCLA cardiologist - The Times of Israel - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo Reveals Which Viral Scene from Greys Anatomy Made Her Oldest Daughter Cry (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
In Karnataka, the anatomy of three riot-like situations - The Hindu - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Ellen Pompeo Reveals The Grey's Anatomy's Episode That Made Her Oldest Daughter Cry - Screen Rant - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Heres Whats New on TV This Week Including Grey's Anatomy American Idol, The Righteous Gemstones, and More - Collider - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Greys Anatomy cast members who have spoken out about their own serious health conditions - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Greys Anatomy Returns: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the Midseason Premiere - TVLine - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
All the Lingering Questions We Need Answered When Greys Anatomy Comes Back - Shondaland.com - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Greys Anatomy star Kate Walsh shares important message after being diagnosed with brain tumour - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
'I Couldn't Hold It Together': Ellen Pompeo Recalls Grey's Anatomy Moment That Brought Her and Her Daughter to Tears - CBR - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Greys Anatomy star Kate Walsh reveals very subtle warning sign ahead of brain tumour diagnosis - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
Grey's Anatomy season 21 part 1 recap: All to remember before part 2 arrives - Sportskeeda - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
The Splendour of Life, Starring Anatomy of a Fall Actor Camille Rutherford, Picked Up by H264 (EXCLUSIVE) - Variety - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
Greys Anatomy Sneak Peek: Its Tears for Fears in Your First Look at the Midseason Premiere - TVLine - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
Can a Longtime Greys Anatomy Stan Learn to Love the Grim Medical Reality of The Pitt? - Vogue - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
Greys Anatomy Is Coming Back Next MonthHeres What We Know About That Cliff-Hanger - Glamour - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
New Extremity Box Set Collects 'High Tension,' 'Anatomy of Hell,' 'Frontier(s),' 'Martyrs' on Blu-ray - Bloody Disgusting - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
When Does 'Grey's Anatomy' Return With New Episodes? - TV Insider - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
Books of Discovery Expands Access to Premier Anatomy and Physiology Textbooks for Educators and Students - EIN News - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
Leonardo da Vincis incredible studies of human anatomy still dont get the recognition they deserve - The Conversation - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
The anatomy of a transfer as told by those who make a deal happen - The Athletic - The Athletic - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
Nvidia plunge on DeepSeek news illustrates the anatomy of a bubble bursting - Axios - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
How Sarah Drew Turned Her 'Grey's Anatomy' Firing Into a Teachable Moment for Her Kids (Exclusive) - Entertainment Tonight - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
Anatomy of a retraction: When cleaning up the literature takes six years - Retraction Watch - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
2024s Most-Streamed Series Revealed: Bluey, Greys Anatomy, Family Guy and More - Variety - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
Sarah Drew Explains How Her Son Micah, 13, Helped Her Get Over the 'Pain' of Leaving Grey's Anatomy - PEOPLE - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
Who is Henry in Grey's Anatomy? - Soap Central - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
Who is the Director of Grey's Anatomy? - Soap Central - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
Is Grey's Anatomy over? - Soap Central - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
Grey's Anatomy Beaten by Beloved Animated Series as 2024's Most-Streamed TV Show - CBR - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
Here's When Grey's Anatomy Will Return In 2025 (Confirmed) - The Direct - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
10 Greys Anatomy Episodes to Revisit While We Wait for Season 21 to Return - Shondaland.com - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Charlies Beat: Learning the Anatomy of a Song - Madison Courier - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Anatomy of a Thriller: The Story of UMass 3OT Win Over Fordham - A10Talk - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Anatomy of a Wrestler: What Makes J'den Cox a Powerhouse on the Matt? - Olympics - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Former Grey's Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch, who faked cancer, slammed for soliciting donations during L.A. fires - Entertainment Weekly News - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Bitwig Connect 4/12, audio/MIDI interface makes a bridge between software and external gear - Synth Anatomy - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Anatomy of a fall: How Bangladesh's local government was left crippled - The Business Standard - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Meredith's Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Dilemma Exposed 1 Original Character's Overlooked Flaw - Screen Rant - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
KV331 Audio Synthmaster 3, new update 3.1.1 with drum part layer and more for NAMM 2025 - Synth Anatomy - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Greys Anatomy writer who faked cancer accused of new scam - NJ.com - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Former Grey's Anatomy writer slammed for soliciting donations during LA fires - Daily Express US - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Melbourne Instruments will showcase a motorized MIDI controller at NAMM 2025 - Synth Anatomy - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
Achieve 17/20 On This Anatomy Quiz And Prove You're No Skeletal Simpleton - BuzzFeed - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
Insane MRI images: How one couple redefined anatomy with science - New Zealand Herald - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Bringing Back 1 Forgotten Doctor Can Give A Proper Ending To An Unfair Plot - Screen Rant - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
ABC's Big Thursday Night Change Hasn't Been Good For Grey's Anatomy, So What Does The Ratings Dip Mean For 2025? - CinemaBlend - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
The complex anatomy of the bronchial arteries: a meta-analysis with potential implications for thoracic surgery and hemoptysis treatment - Nature.com - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
Grey's Anatomy Is Throwing Back To Derek And Meredith's First Meeting To Celebrate The New Year, And I'm McDreaming Of How It All Began - CinemaBlend - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]