Where is vertebrae located in the body

An internal disk is located between each vertebra. A gelatinous substance called nucleus pulposus can be found in each disk, which provides cushioning to the spinal column. The vertebrae are stacked on top of each other into groups. The groups of the vertebrae consist of:. A normal adult has four curvatures in the vertebral column. Their main purpose is to align the head with a vertical line through the pelvis.

Those in the chest and sacrum region are called the kyphosis, while the ones in the lower back and neck area are called lordosis. The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae and is located at the base of the skull. Its function is to support the skull, enabling head movements…. The tenth thoracic vertebra T10 is one of twelve vertebrae that make up the central section of the vertebral column. The spine consists of three….

Excess body weight, weak muscles, and other forces can pull at the spine's alignment:. The two main muscle groups that affect the spine are extensors and flexors. The extensor muscles enable us to stand up and lift objects. The extensors are attached to the back of the spine. The flexor muscles are in the front and include the abdominal muscles.

These muscles enable us to flex, or bend forward, and are important in lifting and controlling the arch in the lower back. The back muscles stabilize your spine. Something as common as poor muscle tone or a large belly can pull your entire body out of alignment.

Misalignment puts incredible strain on the spine see Exercise for a Healthy Back. Vertebrae are the 33 individual bones that interlock with each other to form the spinal column. The vertebrae are numbered and divided into regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx Fig. Only the top 24 bones are moveable; the vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx are fused.

The vertebrae in each region have unique features that help them perform their main functions. Cervical neck - the main function of the cervical spine is to support the weight of the head about 10 pounds.

The seven cervical vertebrae are numbered C1 to C7. The neck has the greatest range of motion because of two specialized vertebrae that connect to the skull. The first vertebra C1 is the ring-shaped atlas that connects directly to the skull. The second vertebra C2 is the peg-shaped axis, which has a projection called the odontoid, that the atlas pivots around. Thoracic mid back - the main function of the thoracic spine is to hold the rib cage and protect the heart and lungs.

The twelve thoracic vertebrae are numbered T1 to T The range of motion in the thoracic spine is limited. Lumbar low back - the main function of the lumbar spine is to bear the weight of the body. The five lumbar vertebrae are numbered L1 to L5. These vertebrae are much larger in size to absorb the stress of lifting and carrying heavy objects. Sacrum - the main function of the sacrum is to connect the spine to the hip bones iliac.

There are five sacral vertebrae, which are fused together. Together with the iliac bones, they form a ring called the pelvic girdle. Coccyx region - the four fused bones of the coccyx or tailbone provide attachment for ligaments and muscles of the pelvic floor. While vertebrae have unique regional features, every vertebra has three functional parts Fig. Each vertebra in your spine is separated and cushioned by an intervertebral disc, which keeps the bones from rubbing together.

Discs are designed like a radial car tire. The outer ring, called the annulus, has crisscrossing fibrous bands, much like a tire tread. These bands attach between the bodies of each vertebra. Inside the disc is a gel-filled center called the nucleus, much like a tire tube Fig. Discs function like coiled springs. The crisscrossing fibers of the annulus pull the vertebral bones together against the elastic resistance of the gel-filled nucleus. The nucleus acts like a ball bearing when you move, allowing the vertebral bodies to roll over the incompressible gel.

The gel-filled nucleus contains mostly fluid. The remaining small bones or ossicles below the sacrum are also fused together and called the tailbone or coccyx. The spine above the sacrum consists of:.

The spinal column combines strong bones, unique joints, flexible ligaments and tendons, large muscles and highly sensitive nerves. While many of us take the benefits of a healthy spine for granted, spinal pain is a sharp reminder of how much we depend on our back in daily life. Some causes of spinal pain include:.

The spinal column is made up of many parts, all designed to help the back move flexibly, support body weight and protect the spinal cord and nerves. These parts include the:. Skip to content. Anatomy of the Spine Not what you're looking for? Start New Search. About anatomy of the spine The human spine is a complex anatomic structure that is the scaffolding for the entire body.

It provides several important functions, including: Protecting the spinal cord and nerves Structural support for the body, allowing us to stand upright.