Spine

The spine forms the support and mobile pillar of the whole body. It is part of the axial skeleton.

Composition
The spine consists of 33–34 vertebrae, which are linked by resilient but mobile joints. Depending on which part of the body the vertebrae are found, they are divided into segments (cervical C1–C7, thoracic Th1–Th12, lumbar L1–L5, sacral S1–S5 and coccygeal Co1-Co4(Co5). The individual parts differ not only in the number, but also in the structure of the vertebrae. Vertebral foramina vertebralia creates a spinal canal through which in section C1–L3 the spinal cord passes.

Connection on the spine
Vertebrae are connected by their bodies by:


 * 1) synchondrosis (between the presacral vertebrae forms a joint symphisis intervertebralis, which contains the intervertebral plate, discus intervertebralis);
 * 2) syndesmosis (ligaments, long ligaments of the spine; short ligaments of the spine that connect the arches and processes of the vertebrae);
 * 3) intervertebral joints (articular connection between processus articulares of adjacent vertebrae, the shapes of the articular surfaces are different, articular the case is free).

The connection between the occipital bone, atlas and axis is referred to as craniovertebral junction.

Curvature of the spine
The length of the entire spine of an adult is about 35% of body height. Physiologically, the spine is biaxially curved. Curvature of the spinal convexity forward is called lordosis and can be found in the cervical and lumbar region. Curvature of the spinal convexity backwards is called kyphosis and can be found in the thoracic and sacral regions. A lateral curvature of the spine is called scoliosis. Physiological scoliosis is present in nearly every spine, most obviously between Th3 a Th5, and can be exacerbated by physical exertion.

Mobility of the spine
The entire spine is highly mobile, most in the cervical part and least in the lumbar region, the sacral part of it to be exact. Movement in the chest area is largely restricted by the attached ribs. We call the movements of the spine anteflexion and retroversion (forward bends and backbends), lateroflexion (bows), rotation or torsion (turning sideways) and suspending movements, that change the curvature of the spine.

Related articles

 * Vertebrae
 * Connection on the spine
 * Examination of the mobility of the spine
 * Spinal medulla
 * Curvature of the spine
 * Development of the spine