12 thoracic vertebrae (also called dorsal vertebrae)
5 lumbar vertebrae
5 sacral vertebrae (forming the sacrum, a small triangular bone at the base of the spine)
4 coccygeal vertebrae (fused)
Here is a visual diagram of the spine:
Rachis is another name for vertebral column
Between each vertebrate, there is a intervertebral disc. These discs make it possible in particular to separate the vertebrae from the spine, in addition to providing shock absorption and mobility to the back.
The juxtaposition of vertebrae comprises a free space of cylindrical shape. This is where the spinal cord, this nervous structure which constitutes in a way the extension of the brain all along the spinal column.
BACK ACHE ? ANSWER THIS SHORT QUESTIONNAIRE AND BENEFIT FROM ADVICE ADAPTED TO YOUR SITUATION
The muscles of the spine allow the mobility of the neck and the back. Here is a list of muscles that have an insertion point on the spine:
Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
Rectus abdominis posterior muscle
Small rectus anterior muscle of the head
Rectus capitis anterior muscle
Superior oblique muscle of the head
Inferior oblique muscle of the head
Longissimus capitis muscle (small complexus)
Longissimus muscle of the neck
Semispinatus muscle of the head (greater complexus)
Splenius
Trapezius muscle
longus capitis
Muscle longus of the neck
Scalene muscle
Latissimus dorsi muscle
Interspinous muscles
Square muscles of the loins
Paraspinal muscles
Ligaments
Ligaments provide stability to the spine by joining certain bones together. Here is a list of ligaments with insertion points on the spine:
common vertebral ligaments (anterior and posterior)
interspinous ligaments
yellow ligaments
interapophyseal ligaments
Physiology of the spine
How can the spine move? It is thanks to a complex articular system including the intervertebral discs, the posterior interapophyseal joints, the intervertebral ligaments and the paraspinal muscles.
Allowed movements vary by region. For example, the cervical spine allows a lot of rotation compared to the lumbar spine. This makes it possible in particular to move the head from right to left. Together, the movements are in the following planes:
Sagittal (flexion-extension, or front-back)
Frontal (lateral inclinations, or on each side)
Transversal (rotations around a vertebral axis)
Role of the spine
Here is a list of natural functions that the spine performs:
Serves as a support for the head and maintains the gaze (cervical column)
Serves as a support for the back and the entire human skeleton
Transmits the weight of the body to the hips
Protects the spinal cord and the vascular-nervous bundle
Protects the heart and lungs thanks to its fixation with the ribs
Spinal pathologies (link with back pain)
Here is a list of pathologies involving the vertebrae of the spine. Most cause lower back pain:
Anas Boukas( Physiotherapist, physiotherapist, consultant )
Patients with back pain, I only see that on a daily basis. The problem is that most people consult only when their pain becomes intolerable. My name is Anas and I am physiotherapist (physio). My mission ? Helping people who are in pain before their pain becomes chronic and requires surgery. It is for this reason that I created Lombafit, a site focused on the popularization of back pain by health professionals.
