Anatomy of the Spine

The spine, or vertebral column (Columna vertebralis), is described in three sections. The first segment of the spine is known as the cervical (neck) spine, followed by the thoracic (upper), and tailing is the lumbar (low) spine. The sacrum and coccyx also contain vertebrae (fused), resulting in a total of 33 vertebrae and naturally, a large amount of nerves. The beginning of the column starts at the base of the skull and ends at at the bottom of the coccyx. If you are experiencing Seattle back pain, read on to locate the source.

Cervical Spine

In the cervical spine, there are 7 vertebrae, which of course support the head. These are the smallest of all vertebrae. The utmost vertebra, which is positioned at the base of the skull, is known as C1, or Atlas, the Greek god known for holding the world upon his shoulders. C2, or axis, forms a pivotal spot for C1. The lowest vertebra is known as C7. This bone is interesting because in some cases, it grows an odd pair of tiny ribs, which can create medical problems. This spinal section is designed for flexibility.

The Thoracic Spine

This center spinal section is composed of 12 vertebrae. It connects the neck and the lumbar section. As this bones progress down the spinal column, they become larger in size. The design of the thoracic vertebrae is complex because they are individually connected to
the rib cage. These bones range from T1 to T12, with T1 beginning
somewhat parallel to the shoulder bones, and ending in the center
of the back. This part of the spinal column is built for power.

The Lumbar Spine

The lower spine is made up of 5 large vertebrae. L1 begins just one
notch below the middle of the back, and L5 is positioned
within the pelvis bone. These bones are thicker and wider
than the rest because they have to support the weight of
the body, as well as external loads. An interesting element
surrounding this bone is that some people are born
with 4 and some have 6.

The Slow Maturing Sacrum

This is a large bone located at the base of the spine. It‘s triangular shape is wedged directly in between the hip bones. The uppermost part of the sacrum connects to L5 (it may be L6 for you), and it connects to the bottom part of the coccyx. It is not until around 16-18 years old that the vertebrae  begin to fuse to form a single bone by 26 years of age.

“The Tailbone’s Connected to the . . .”

Otherwise known as the tailbone, the coccyx is the final
piece of the spinal column. It is made of 3-5 separate or fused vertebrae and it is attached to the sacrum. This series of bones is directly below the sacrum and is attached to a
stiff joint that allows restricted movement. The coccyx
is like an anchor for many muscles, ligaments, and tendons,
and it bears our weight when we shift in our seats.

Please learn more about spinal anatomy provided by your Seattle Chiropractor.