Spine

=About the spine= = = The spine or vertebral column consists of 26 irregular bones. They are aligned so that flexiblity and durability are possible. The spine is a sinovial plane joint which means that it moves in all ways. Also the intervertebral discs are known as symphysis joints. The spine extends from the pelvis up to the skull. The spine has five major sections which are the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx sections. Each of these sections have a specific structure and/or function. As you look at the spine, you can notice that the vertebrae get larger and more heavy duty as you go down. The spine protects the spinal cord and allows for the ribs to connect to it to form the thoracic cage and also is an attachment spot for some back and neck muscles. In infants and fetuses their are 33 vertebrae in the spine, but the bottom inferior nine of them fuse together to form the sacrum and the coccyx. The other 24 remain seperated by intervertebral discs. The picture to the right is an example of an X Ray of the spine.

For More Details on the spine click the links below
=1. Curves Of The Spine= =2. Ligaments= =3. Surfaces= =4. Intervertebral Discs=