Try out our special, customizable, quiz to test your knowledge about the bones of the spine! Vertebrae also differ in the appearance of their processes and other anatomical features. This is because the lumbar vertebrae bear much more weight than the cervical. For example, cervical vertebrae have the widest vertebral foramen and the smallest bodies, while lumbar vertebrae have the largest bodies and a very narrow vertebral canal. Notches of adjacent vertebrae bound the intervertebral foramen, providing an outlet for the spinal nerves and vessels.Īlthough having the same parts, the vertebral groups are distinct from each other in terms of their appearance. The superior and inferior margins of each pedicle are convex toward its midline, forming superior and inferior vertebral notches. The arch is connected to the body by bony pedicles, together these structures bound the vertebral foramen. The vertebral body is the main weight bearing structure of the spine, while the arch and processes provide numerous muscle and ligament attachment points.

Five sacral and 3-5 coccygeal vertebrae are fused into the sacrum and coccyx bones, respectively.Įach typical vertebra consists of a body, an arch and three processes that stem from the arch (spinous, transverse and articular). There are 33 vertebrae in total seven cervical vertebrae in the neck, twelve thoracic vertebrae in the torso and five lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. Vertebrae are the structural constituents of the spine. Protection of the spinal cord, absorption of mechanical force, maintains the posture of the body and head, coordination of limbs movements, assists respiration Vertebral, ascending cervical, occipital, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, lateral sacral, deep cervical arteries and veins Posterior rami of the spinal nerves, intercostal nerves, cervical plexus, brachial plexus, accessory nerve (CN XI) Intervertebral discs, zygapophyseal joints Vertebral column: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (sacrum), 3-5 coccygeal (coccyx) vertebrae

But we at Kenhub have a different approach, so in this page we’ve covered the back anatomy in an easy to understand mode for you. The back functions are many, such as to house and protect the spinal cord, hold the body and head upright, and adjust the movements of the upper and lower limbs.īy the way, have you heard about the myth of Sisyphus, a guy being forced to eternally roll an enormous rock up a hill only for it to roll down when it nears the top? Many would compare anatomy studying to his struggle. It comprises the vertebral column (spine) and two compartments of back muscles extrinsic and intrinsic. Pain is often the first symptom and more than 9 out of 10 people (90%) with spinal cord compression have it.The back is the body region between the neck and the gluteal regions. The symptoms depend on where the pressure is in the spinal cord. Spinal cord compression happens when pressure on the spinal cord stops the nerves working normally. If hypercalcaemia is not treated and gets worse, it can make you drowsy and difficult to wake.Ībout 30 out of 100 people (30%) with myeloma have symptoms like these when they first go to the doctor. You might also pass a lot of urine, as your body tries to get rid of the extra calcium. This makes you feel very thirsty, sick and tired. Too much calcium in the blood is called hypercalcaemia. When the bones are damaged, calcium is released into the bloodstream. This is because you do not have enough healthy white blood cells to fight the bacteria or viruses. Once you have an infection, it might take longer to get better. You might be more prone to infection, such as chest infections. The abnormal plasma cells damage the bones and crowd out the normal blood cells. This happens because there are abnormal plasma cells in your bone marrow.

Fatigue due to anaemiaīreathlessness and tiredness can happen because you do not have enough red blood cells (anaemia). The large numbers of plasma cells damage the bones. Pain in the bones is caused by a lot of plasma cells collecting there. People mostly describe the pain as dull or aching, and it is often felt in the lower back or ribs.It might feel like there is pain in your muscles too. Up to 70 out of every 100 people (70%) have pain when they are diagnosed with myeloma. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer but it is important to get them checked by a doctor.

Spine bones