Spinal Anatomy, Made Simple!

Dr. Joseph H. Nowak, PT, DPT Physical Therapist/Co-Owner Gaston Rehab Associates, Inc.

Our Spine Has 3 Major Regions:

Cervical or Neck Thoracic or Mid-Back Lumbar or Low-Back

Regions Of Our Spine

Our Cervical Spine Has 7 Bones Our Thoracic Spine Has 12 Bones Our Lumbar Spine Has 5 Bones

Curvature Of Our Spine

Our neck and low back both curve in the same direction. Our mid-back curves in the opposite direction.

Posture
Those curves in our spine help make up our posture. Whatever we are doing throughout the day (sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, etc.) we would like to keep those curves intact.

Posture Continued
When we stand, wed like to see our ear be over our shoulder, which should then be over our hip, over our knee and over our ankle. This gives us proper posture.

The Bones Of Our Spine (Vertebrae)

If we took out one of the bones of our spine, called a vertebrae, it would look like this: Left Picture, Side View Right Picture, Top View

Vertebrae Continued
There are two parts to every vertebrae. The front part, which is called the vertebral body, is a big block of bone. This is the weight bearing portion of our vertebrae.

Vertebrae Continued
The second part is this boney arch with a hole in the middle. When we bend over and you see a ridge on someones back? Thats the boney point at the bottom of the picture. It is called a spinous process.

Vertebrae Continued
The hole in the middle is whats really important. Thats where our spinal cord goes through. If our brain was a computer, our spinal cord would be a connecting wire so our brain could communicate with the rest of our body. Our spinal cord isnt very large. It is about the diameter of a dime.

In-between each vertebrae, coming off our spinal cord on the right & left are spinal nerves. The spinal nerves in our neck make up the nerves that go down our arms. The spinal nerves in our low back make up the nerves that go down our legs.

Spinal Cord

Intervertebral Discs
In-between each vertebral body lies our intervertebral discs.

Intervertebral Disc Function

Intervertebral Discs Have 3 Functions:
Allow For Shock Absorption Allow For Movement Act As A Spacer, Giving More Room For The Nerve

Intervertebral Disc Anatomy

Discs Have 2 Parts:
Nucleus Pulposus or Inside Annulus Fibrosus or Outside

Intervertebral Disc Anatomy Continued

Nucleus Pulposus (Inside Part)
Isnt a solid or liquid, more of a gel. Has a consistency of toothpaste.

Annulus Fibrosus (Outside Part)

Made up of fibrous connective tissue that forms rings or walls around the nucleus.

Disc Mechanics
When we bend and move, the inside gel moves in the opposite direction we move. Some people like to describe how a disc works like a jelly donut.
The nucleus or gel is like the jelly inside the donut. The annular rings are like the donut part.

Disc Mechanics Continued

If we put pressure on one side of the disc/donut, you can see how the gel/jelly wants to move away from the pressure. So if we lean forward, the gel wants to go backwards. Lean to the right, gel goes to the left.

Normally, the annular rings are strong enough & keep the gel inside. Over time, these rings can get worn down and can bend with the gel, pushing outwards. This is called a disc bulge. Left Picture: Normal Disc Right: Disc Bulge

Disc Mechanics Continued

Disc Mechanics Continued

Over time, the annular rings can get weak and finally they will break. This causes the nucleus/gel to leak out, which causes more pressure on nerves.

Bad posture and body mechanics, over time, can speed up the degeneration or wear, of our discs. Thats why it is important to try to stay in good posture throughout the day. Your body will thank you later!!

For more information on posture & body mechanics, please visit our website at: www.gastonrehabassociates.com

Pictures used from:

www.rstrust.com www.londonosteopath.net www.fotosearch.com www.eorthopod.com http://myhealth.centrahealth.com Photographs taken by Dr. Joseph H. Nowak, PT, DPT