Anatomy of the spine

Introduction

The spine is our “support corset” of the upright gait. Ligaments, numerous small joints and auxiliary structures guarantee us not only stability but also a certain degree of flexibility.

Structure of the spinal column

Our spine is divided into the following different sections starting from the head:

  • Cervical spine (HWS)
  • Thoracic spine (BWS)
  • Lumbar Spine (LWS)
  • Sacral spine (SWS)

As a result of the upright, bipedal gait and locomotion, various curvatures have been created in these sections by cushioning and loading, which can be seen from the side view. In medicine they are called lordosis and kyphosis. The former is a forward curvature of the spine, the kyphosis curves backwards in the side view, like a hump.

In newborns, these special curvatures are still completely absent. They develop only in the course of the life. From the continuous curvature to the back (kyphosis), which is predominant at birth, the neck lordosis for the balance of the head develops with the help of the stronger neck muscles.

In the further course – with the learning of sitting, standing and walking – the lumbar lordosis is developed. These become stronger until the legs can be extended in the hip joints, but are only finally fixed in the course of puberty. Adults therefore have cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and sacral kyphosis.

The picture shows a double S-shaped curvature. From behind, however, a fairly straight line should be visible. The component of the spine is represented by the individual vertebrae.

In principle, all vertebrae can be divided into a vertebral body, vertebral arch and various extensions (spinous, transverse and articular processes). Exceptions are the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae. However, the individual sections of the spinal column also have special features according to their function.

In general, the vertebral bodies and the vertebral arches form the vertebral cavity and in their entirety the spinal canal, which houses the spinal cord. The extensions that originate from the vertebral arch serve as attachment points for muscles and ligaments. In the area of the thoracic vertebral bodies, they form the costal vertebral joints. Between each vertebra is an intervertebral disc, the so-called intervertebral disc.