The Spinal Column
Sitting, resting, hopping, walking, stooping or turning one’s head – we would not be able to do any of this without our spinal column. The central axis of our body enables movements and activities in different directions (stooping forwards, stretching backwards, bending and turning sidewards), and at the same time guarantees for stability.
An ingenious human blueprint of bones, ligaments, sinews, discs, muscles and nerves given to us by Mother Nature ensure the multifunctional “spinal column” can optimally implement all these tasks.
S-Curves for Flexibility and Stability
If examined from the side, the curves of the spinal column resemble a double-S. These curves – referred to according to their position as lordosis or kyphosis – ensure that our body is able to cushion collisions and jumps and is optimally supported. From behind however, a healthy spinal column looks like a straight rod.
With a total of 24 vertebrae, the spinal column is structured into three parts: the cervical spine (7 cervical vertebrae), the thoracic spine (12 thoracic vertebrae) and the lumbar spine (5 lumbar vertebrae). Attached to the lumbar vertebrae are the sacral and tailbone with ten vertebrae in total. At the age of 20 to 25, these ten vertebrae melt into each other and form a bone block.
Buffer-technique within the back
A vertebra is composed of a massive front vertebral body and the rear smaller vertebral arch with the vertebral joints and vertebral processes. The vertebral body acts as a carrier, whilst the spinal cord and intradural nerve fibers run in the protected canal of vertebral arches (vertebral canal and hard meninges) . The muscles are attached at both of the transverse processes, as well as at the spinous process.
Intervertebral discs act as buffers between the individual vertebrae. With their high water content and soft, gelatinous nucleus (coated by a cartilaginous fiber ring), they cushion jolting, and enable the vertebrae a better mobility. The foramen is situated between the vertebra and the intervertebral disc. Here, the spinal nerves leave the protected area to the left and right.
