Anatomy of the Spine
Anatomy of the Spine
The anatomy of the spine can be divided into three major sections: the cervical, the thoracic and the lumbar spine. Each section of the spine is made up of individual bones called vertebrae. There are seven cervical vertebrae and they are located in the neck. The thoracic spine is the upper to mid back and it has 12 vertebrae. There are five lumbar vertebrae. These vertebrae are found in the low back. Below the lumbar spine is a bone called the sacrum, which is part of the pelvis.
Intervertebral discs seperate the vertebrae. The discs act as cushions or shock absorbers between the bones. The outer part of the disc, which is hard and tough, is called the annulus. The center is mushy and moist; it is called the nucleus.
A disc herniation or rupture occurs when the nucleus spurts out through a tear in the annulus. If this occurs, the nucleus can press on a nerve and cause pain.
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