What is the spine and what does it do?

What is the spine and what does it do?

It gives your body structure and support. It allows you to move about freely and to bend with flexibility. The spine is also designed to protect your spinal cord. The spinal cord is a column of nerves that connects your brain with the rest of your body, allowing you to control your movements.

What should I know about the function of the spine?

The parts of the spine and its function are further discussed. What should I know about the spine? The spine (or backbone) runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis. It serves as a pillar to support the body’s weight and to protect the spinal cord. There are three natural curves in the spine that give it an “S” shape when viewed from the side.

How are the different parts of the spine connected?

It connects different parts of your musculoskeletal system. Your spine helps you sit, stand, walk, twist and bend. Back injuries, spinal cord conditions and other problems can damage the spine and cause back pain. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Where does the spinal cord end in the human body?

Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves in the Lumbar Spine. It ends, usually, in between the first and second lumbar vertebrae; below that, a group of nerves called the cauda equina (which translates to “the horse’s tail) travels through the spinal canal and branch off to various parts in the lower half of your body.

What is the name of the bone at the base of the spine?

Sacrum The sacrum is the name of the bone located at the base of the spine that consists of five vertebrae. Sacrum The sacrum is the name of the bone located at the base of the spine that consists of five fused vertebrae.

What are the problems with the spine?

There are several health problems that can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae. These include infections, injuries, tumours, conditions (such as ankylosing spondylitis and scoliosis) and bone changes that come with age (such as spinal stenosis and herniated disks).

How many bones are in the human spine?

The spine, or vertebral column, is a tower of bone that consists of 24 irregular-shaped bones along with the nine fused bones in the sacrum and coccyx. The spine gives human beings their posture as well as houses and protects the spinal column, the body’s major nerve center.

What are disorders of the spine?

Spine Disorders. Spinal disorders include: degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated or degenerative disc disease, instability due to arthritis, trauma, scoliosis, spina bifida , osteoporosis, fractures and spinal cord tumors.

What is lower spine area?

The lumbar region is sometimes referred to as the lower spine, or as an area of the back in its proximity.