Anatomy of the Bones of Your Spine

Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter trusted by over 15,000 people to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.

Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

• Anatomy of the Vertebrae

• News: Using your own blood to treat arthritis

Anatomy of the vertebrae

The vertebrae are the individual bones that make up the spine. The spine serves as the central support structure for the body, protecting the spinal cord and providing mobility and flexibility. The human spine is made up of 33 vertebrae, although some of these fuse as a person grows, resulting in 26 adult vertebrae. These vertebrae are categorized into different regions, each with unique characteristics and functions:

Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C7): The cervical vertebrae are the seven vertebrae located in the neck region.

Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T12): The thoracic vertebrae are the twelve vertebrae in the chest region, each corresponding to a rib.

Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L5): The lumbar vertebrae are the five largest and heaviest vertebrae located in the lower back.

Sacral Vertebrae (5 fused into 1 sacrum): The sacrum is a triangular bone formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae (S1-S5) in the lower back.

Coccygeal Vertebrae (3-5 fused into 1 coccyx): The coccyx, also known as the tailbone, is formed by the fusion of three to five coccygeal vertebrae at the base of the spine.

Read on to learn about the anatomy of each individual vertebra!

Laugh through the pain…

Anatomy of the vertebrae (cont.)

Lets take a closer look at the different parts of each vertebra of the spine.

Vertebral Body: The anterior, weight-bearing part of the vertebra. It is usually cylindrical or block-shaped, providing stability and support for the spine.

Vertebral Arch: Forms the posterior portion of the vertebra and encloses the vertebral foramen. Consists of two pedicles and two laminae.

Pedicle: Short, sturdy bony structures that connect the vertebral body to the laminae of the vertebral arch. Help to form the sides of the vertebral foramen.

Lamina: Flat, thin plates of bone that extend from the pedicles to complete the vertebral arch. They fuse in the midline to form the spinous process.

Spinous Process: A bony projection at the posterior midline of the vertebra. Serves as a point of attachment for muscles and ligaments that support and move the spine.

Transverse Process: Extend laterally from each side of the vertebral arch. Provide attachment points for muscles and ligaments and articulate with ribs in the thoracic region.

Articular Processes (Facet Joints): Paired superior and inferior articular processes extend from the junction of the pedicle and lamina. Form facet joints with corresponding processes of adjacent vertebrae, allowing movement and stability of the spine.

Vertebral Foramen: The central opening within the vertebral arch. Forms a canal through which the spinal cord passes and is protected by the vertebrae.

Understanding these anatomical parts is crucial for comprehending the functions and structure of the vertebrae. This is especially helpful to better understand some of the most common causes of pain in the neck and back.

In the news…

Evidence suggests that the plasma from your own blood could help to treat arthritis. Click to learn more in the article below.

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About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

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