Anatomy

As the human spine consists of three distinct areas - the cervical spine (neck region), thoracic spine (middle portion of the spine) and lumbar (lower) spine, each area is susceptible to personal injury from a traumatic event, such as a car or truck motor vehicle accident.  

The bony portions of the spine are called vertebra.  The cervical spine is comprised of seven vertebra which begin at the base of the skull and conclude in the neck area, at the top of the ribcage. The thoracic spine consists of twelve vertebra, which correspond to the twelve ribs comprising the rib cage. Finally, the lumbar spine contains five vertebra, which make up the lower back and terminate at the sacrum, just above the tailbone, or coccyx. It is the lumbar spine that is responsible for carrying most of the weight of the body, balancing the torso on the sacrum.

The vertebra that form the spine likewise form a canal through which the spinal cord passes. The spinal cord and the brain form the body's central nervous system. The series of nerves that comprise the spinal cord pass through the vertebral column and branch out into the body, passing through portions of the vertebra called transverse process and vertebral foramen.

The vertebra of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine are separated by interverbral membranes called "discs." These interverbral discs, which serve as the shock absorber for the spine, are comprised of soft, rubbery tissue that is surrounded by a tough, outer layer called the annulus.

Background | Anatomy | Causes