What is the lumbar spine?
The lumbar spine is the name given to all the vertebrae that lie between the thoracic spine and the sacrum – there are five of them. Like the cervical spine, the lumbar spine has a physiological forward curvature (lordosis).
Between the lumbar vertebrae – as in the entire spine – are intervertebral discs (intervertebral discs) and ligaments.
The transverse processes that extend laterally from the lumbar vertebrae are rib rudiments that become longer from the first to the third lumbar vertebra and then gradually shorter to the fifth lumbar vertebra.
Lumbar puncture and lumbar anesthesia
Lumbar anesthesia, which paralyzes the lower section of the spinal cord, making the entire lower half of the body insensitive to pain, is also performed in this area.
“Ponytail” (cauda equina).
The spinal cord extends only to the first or second lumbar vertebra. Below that, the spinal cord is just a bundle of nerve fibers from anterior and posterior spinal nerve roots of the lumbar and sacral cord – the cauda equina.
What is the function of the lumbar spine?
Lumbar lordosis – together with cervical lordosis and thoracic kyphosis – ensures that the body’s center of gravity is above the feet, thus enabling an upright gait (lordosis = curvature toward the abdomen; kyphosis = curvature in the opposite direction, i.e., toward the back).
Where is the lumbar spine located?
What problems can the lumbar spine cause?
Congenital or acquired changes in the (lumbar) spine can impair its stability and function. In so-called scoliosis, for example, the spine is curved laterally. In addition, individual vertebral bodies are twisted around their longitudinal axis.
In some people, the number of vertebrae varies. For example, the last lumbar vertebra may be fused with the first sacral vertebra (sacralization).
Lumbar spine syndrome (LS syndrome) is the term used to describe any complaint related to the lumbar spine: Sciatica or disc syndrome and lumbago:
Kauda syndrome refers to damage to the cauda equina caused by an accident, a herniated disc or tumors. The damage causes a flaccid paralysis of the legs without missing reflexes and sensory disturbances.
Apart from degenerative changes, injuries can also be the cause of a herniated disc in the lumbar spine.