The vertebrae are arranged in a column, with their discs acting like coiled springs, and the annulus fibers connecting them. When a person moves, the vertebrae roll over the incompressible gel filled nucleus. During growth, the vertebrae fuse together and form a transitional body. The discs are filled with a mushy gel and a portion of it is absorbed at night when you sleep, and is expelled during the day when you stand.
When the discs in the spine become weakened, they can form extra bone spurs, causing pain and stiffness. The vertebrae also fuse together, resulting in a hunched posture. Disc degeneration occurs in 95% of people by the time they reach 50. Early diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions can help slow its progression and avoid painful symptoms. The best way to prevent osteoarthritis is to prevent it before it has a chance to progress.
The spinal column is composed of 33 individual bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra has a disc that absorbs pressure and prevents the bones from rubbing against each other. The vertebrae also contain groups of ligaments and tendons that hold them together. The vertebrae also have real joints, which are called facet joints. Facet joints give the vertebrae flexibility to move against one another. In addition, they also provide protection for the spinal cord.
Spinal cord disorders can come from inside or outside the spinal cord. Damage from outside the spinal cord occurs when the spinal cord becomes compressed. The compression occurs due to spinal degeneration, bone fractures, and abnormalities. During a physical examination, the physician may look for evidence of spinal cord compression and determine if it’s a serious spinal condition. The spine can be viewed as a series of bones, and MRIs or CT scans can show where pressure has accumulated on the spinal canal. Further tests such as electromyograms can also determine the location of abnormalities in the spinal cord.
The spine contains four main sections: the sacrum, the lumbar region, the thoracic region, and the cervical region. The sacrum is a triangular bone that connects the pelvis and the pelvic girdle, and is made up of five fused vertebrae. It is named after the Greek word kokkyx, which means cuckoo. The sacrum also provides attachment for the pelvic floor muscles.
The cervical spine has seven vertebrae, numbered C1 to C7. This area has the largest range of motion and is connected directly to the head. The first vertebra, atlas, is a ring-shaped axis, and the second vertebra, the odontoid, has a peg-shaped axis. These vertebrae also allow the head to move side-to-side.
The spinal cord is composed of thirty-one pairs of nerves. Each pair has one nerve exiting between the T1 and T2 vertebrae, and eight pairs of nerve roots. Each pair has its own corresponding vertebrae, and the nerves in each root meet in the region of the tailbone. The rexed laminas also contain a small set of neurons involved in the autonomic system. Those neurons are responsible for the sensation of pain and discomfort.
The spine is a complex system of bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The bony building blocks of the spine are called vertebrae, and there are 33 of them. Each vertebra is connected by ligaments and has paired facet joints. Each vertebral segment is named for the upper and lower vertebrae it consists of. There are seven cervical vertebrae and twelve thoracic vertebrae. The sacrum is a group of specialized vertebrae that join the lower and upper parts of the spine.
The condition itself can be debilitating. It may affect a person’s ability to walk, control their bladder, and bowel movements. Treatments can involve the use of physical therapy or spinal surgery. However, the pain associated with spinal stenosis may not be entirely eliminated and a patient may continue to experience residual symptoms after treatment. To avoid further complications, patients should consult with a physician for a detailed treatment plan. And remember to talk to a chiropractor and physical therapist for a complete assessment.
The spine is made up of bony segments called vertebrae that are connected by ligaments and muscles. These bones are cushioned by soft tissues called intervertebral discs. The vertebral bodies carry the majority of the body’s weight when standing. Each vertebra has a pair of facet joints that articulate with the vertebra above and below. Finally, there is the spinal cord. The spine is divided into regions called lumbar, cervical, sacral, and coccygeal.