Spine

The spine, or backbone, is a bony structure that supports your body. It connects different parts of your musculoskeletal system, which includes your body’s bones and muscles. Your spine helps you sit, stand, walk, twist and bend

Thirty-three vertebrae make up five distinct spine segments. Starting at your neck and going down toward your tailbone, the segments of your spine include:

Cervical spine (neck): The top part of your spine has seven vertebrae (C1 to C7). These neck vertebrae allow you to turn, tilt and nod your head. The cervical spine makes an inward C-shape called a lordotic curve.

Thoracic spine (middle back): The thoracic part of your spine has 12 vertebrae (T1 to T12). Your ribs attach to the thoracic spine. This section of your spine bends out slightly to make a backward C-shape called a kyphotic curve.

Lumbar spine (lower back): Five vertebrae (L1 to L5) make up the lower part of your spine. Your lumbar spine supports the upper parts of your spine. It connects to your pelvis and bears most of your body’s weight, as well as the stress of lifting and carrying items. The lumbar spine bends inward to create a C-shaped lordotic curve.

Sacrum: This triangle-shaped bone connects to your hips. The five sacral vertebrae (S1 to S5) fuse (weld together) during fetal development, which means they don’t move. The sacrum and hip bones form a ring called the pelvic girdle.

Coccyx (tailbone): Four fused vertebrae make up this small piece of bone found at the bottom of your spine. Pelvic floor muscles and ligaments attach to the coccyx

• Conditions and Disorders
• Arthritis and arthritic conditions, like ankylosing spondylitis.
• Back strains and sprains.
• Birth defects such as spina bifida.
• Bone spurs.
• Curvatures of the spine (scoliosis and kyphosis).
• Herniated disk.
• Other spine conditions include:
• Neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• Nerve injuries, like spinal stenosis, sciatica and pinched nerves.
• Osteoporosis.
• Spinal cord injuries, including spinal fractures and paralysis.
• Spine tumors and cancer.
• Spine infections, like meningitis and osteomyelitis.
• What are common signs or symptoms of spine conditions?
• The most common symptom of spine conditions is back pain or neck pain. Up to 80% of Americans experience back pain at some point in their life.
• Other signs and symptoms of spine conditions include:
• Muscle spasms.
• Loss of bowel or bladder control.
• Weakness or numbness in your limbs (arms and legs).
• Paralysis.