Understanding your spine and how it functions can help you understand some of the issues that occur from injury or aging. Spine is the basic support structure of the central body and It helps to keep an individual upright. It connects different parts of the skeleton to each other including the chest, pelvis, shoulders, head, legs, and arms. The spine is very flexible due to spinal disks and elastic ligaments. The length of an individual spine will vary based on their heights. The average length is 710 m in males and 610 m in women. Spine performs various functions such as it carries the weight of your head, torso, and arms, and let body part move in every direction. It protects your spinal cord. From injury. Flexible ligaments and tendons, strong muscles and bones, and sensitive nerves contribute to a healthy spine.
Understanding your spine and how it functions can help you understand some of the issues that occur from injury or aging. Spine is the basic support structure of the central body and It helps to keep an individual upright. It connects different parts of the skeleton to each other including the chest, pelvis, shoulders, head, legs, and arms. The spine is very flexible due to spinal disks and elastic ligaments. The length of an individual spine will vary based on their heights. The average length is 710 m in males and 610 m in women. Spine performs various functions such as it carries the weight of your head, torso, and arms, and let body part move in every direction. It protects your spinal cord. From injury. Flexible ligaments and tendons, strong muscles and bones, and sensitive nerves contribute to a healthy spine.
Spinal Curves
When viewed from the side, the spine of an adult human looks like a natural S-shaped curve. The cervical and low back regions have a slight concave curve, and the sacral and thoracic regions have a convex curve. To maintain balance and absorb shock, the curve is naturally designed as a coiled spring. The abnormal curve of the lordosis, thoracic, and the side-side region is called swayback, hunch back, and scoliosis respectively.
Muscles
The muscle group that affects the spine are flexors and extensors. The extensor type muscle let human to stand up and lift objects. The flexor muscle let us bend forward, flex, and controlling the arch in the lower back.
Vertebrae
The 33 small bones that interlock with each other to form the spinal column. The small bones are called vertebrae. The vertebrae are divided into lumbar, thoracic, lumbar, cervical, and coccyx regions.
Intervertebral Discs
Each vertebra in your spine region is separated and cushioned by an intervertebral disc. It also prevents the bones from rubbing together. The disc has a structure exactly like a radial car tire, The outer ring region is called the annulus. Inside the disc, the nucleus is present like a tire tube.
Vertebral Arch And Spinal Canal
On the back of each vertebra, there will be bony projections that form the vertebral arch which is made up of two supporting pedicles and two laminae. The hollow spinal canal is made up of fat, ligaments, and blood vessels.
Facet Joints
Between the back of the vertebrae are small joints that also help your spine move effortlessly, These facet joints have a cartilage surface and is essential for rotating movement of the spine.
Ligaments
The ligaments hold the vertebrae, stabilize the spine and protect the disc. The ligament spine types are posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL), anterior longitudinal ligamnet (ALL), and Ligamentum flavum.
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is an 18-inch long structure. It runs from the brainstem to the lumbar vertebra protected within the spinal cord.
Spinal Nerves
The spinal nerves act as telephone lines carrying messages back and forth between your spinal cord and body to control movement and sensation.
Conclusion
The spine is an important part of the human body. In case, if any injury or disorder occurs, then it needs high-care and treatments from medical experts.
