Structure of the spine

The spine (Latin: Columna Vertebral, Greek rachis) is in its entirety, the central load-bearing structural element of vertebrates. It represents not only the bony center of the body, but also connects all other parts of the skeleton together. In addition, it surrounds the spinal cord which is in the spinal canal.

Looking at the spine of a man from the side (sagittal plane), it is striking that the individual spinal segments are formed differently. The cervical spine has a curve to the front (anterior concave), the lumbar to the front and the sacrum and coccyx as a unit at the back (dorsal).

This results in the appearance of a double S-shaped curvature (lordosis, kyphosis). This particular form of the human spine, fulfills the mission by vibrations that occur naturally with an upright gait, minimizing stops and giving better distribution.   From the back or front views the spine forms a nearly straight line.
From top to bottom, the spine is divided into five sections, each composed of individual vertebrae (Lat vertebrae).  In humans, these is the cervical spine (pars cervicalis) with seven vertebrae, the thoracic spine (pars thoracalis) with twelve vertebrae of the lumbar spine (lumbar) and five vertebrae, sacrum (sacrum) with five synostotic fused vertebrae and the coccyx (os coccyx).

The human spinal column consists, therefore, of a total of 33 to 34 vertebrae. The five vertebrae are fused to form the sacrum, as well as the coccyx, this is also often assumed that the spinal column has 24 free (presacral) vertebrae (cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine).  The basic structure is typical of all mammals, the number of vortices is different for every animal-section.

Vertebrae and spinal canal
Although the vertebrae are different in the different sections of the spine in its external form from each other, the general structure is still the same in all sections.  Each vertebra consists of a compact vertebrae, to which is connected the bony vertebral arch. The only exception is the first cervical vertebra (Atlas), which has no compact vertebrae.

The vertebral arches form a hole (vertebral foramen), these holes form the spinal canal, the parts of the nervous system, particularly the spinal cord and its membranes. The spinal cord extends from the outlet of the first cervical nerve to the so-called conus medullaris, which in the adult is the amount of the first lumbar vertebra ends. The vertebral arches of adjacent vertebrae leave a space on each side of the inter-vertebral through which there are exits from the spinal canal.
Transverse processes and spinous process
Each side of the vertebral arch springs from a so-called transverse process, which has a joint surface in the chest, attached to the ribs and on the back of the spinous process. These bony projections are used as attachments of ligaments and muscles.

To ensure a stable contact of each vertebra with its adjacent vertebrae, they are attached to each other via the facet joints. These facet joints have their origin in the vertebral arches.  The vertebral bodies perceive beyond the purely stabilizing effect as they also have another important task.  Like many other large bones, they are situated in its interior in the bone marrow cells of the blood.
Facet joints

With the exception of the first and second cervical vertebrae and the fused sacrum and coccyx vertebrae, the two adjacent vertebrae in mammals are always connected by a disc (intervertebral disc).  Each of these lies between the two vertebral bodies and is composed of fibrous cartilage with a relatively fixed, outer, fibrous ring and a soft inner core.

Tasks of the intervertebral discs are the muting of bumps and bruises, and the movable connection of the individual vertebrae together. The discs are false joints in the form of a symphysis.  In addition to the disc, there are real joints between individual vertebrae called the facet joints.

The claim that the manipulative correction of “misalignment” of the spinal joints are different from those “deformities caused” to cure diseases, contrary to all in the 20th and 21 Century as recognized facts about the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the human organism.

Motion segment

The smallest functional unit of the spine is also called spinal motion segment or functional unit (FSU). It consists of two vertebrae, the intervening intervertebral disc, the corresponding facet joint and surrounding ligaments, muscles and nerves.

Tapes

The stability of the spine is mainly ensured by strong ligaments, which extend over its entire length.  The anterior longitudinal ligament extends across the front of the vertebral bodies. It provides a stabilizing boundary of the spine in the direction of the abdomen.  The posterior longitudinal ligament runs over all surfaces of the posterior vertebral body. It clothes the vertebral canal at the front.

The space between each vertebra arches to take the yellow ribbons on (ligamentum flava).  A system of strong bands (intertransverse ligaments), connect the transverse process of the vertebrae together.

Another system (interspinous ligaments), moving from spinous process to spinous process combines the backs of the vertebrae together.  A pulling of all the spines band is the most stabilizing strip located behind the spine.

These six tapes and tape systems for the stability of the spine is of great importance. They are supported by the numerous muscles of the back. Tapes give the spine stability and agility. The stabilizing structures of the spine elastic and enable numerous motions.
Movements

Bending forward (flexion)
Extension to rear (extension)
Lateral bending (lateral flexion)
Turning movement (rotation)
Diseases

Severe injuries of the spine where the spinal cord is damaged, can lead to paraplegia. The most common diseases are: degenerative changes in the functional group of the disc (herniated disc) and the two adjacent vertebrae (intervertebral osteochondrosis) leading to vertebral instability (spondylolisthesis), the associated inflammatory rheumatic diseases (such as ankylosing spondylitis), and deformities such as scoliosis.

The most common growth disorder of the spine is Scheuermann’s disease.  Chordomas are tumors of the spine. Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases can also manifest in the spine.  The Cervicobrachial Syndrome is a state of pain emanating from the cervical spine and radiates into the arm.