Curves+Of+The+Spine

=Curves Of The Spine= The spine or vertebral column is 70 cm ( or 28 inches) long in an average adult being. The top seven vertebrae of the spine make up the neck. These are called the cervical vertebrae. The middle twelve vertebrae are called the thoracic vertebrae. The lower 5 are called the lumbar vertebrae. And last is the sacrum and the coccyx which are both fused vertebrae. The vertebrae increase in size as they get lower down the spine. The verteral column from the side view displays an "S" shape also known as a sinusoid shape. Both the cervical and lumbar vertebrae concave posteriorly, meaning that they bow towards the front of the body. The thoracic vertebrae convex posteriorly, meaning that it bows toward the back of the back of the body. These curves allow the spine to act as a spring rather than a straight rod.

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