The spine is one of the most important structures of the human body. We rely on him and with his help we move. The curved shape of the spine is elastic and flexible, due to which various tremors that can occur under intense loads are softened. It allows a person to walk straight and maintains a center of gravity. In the article we will consider the structure of the human spine. Scheme, designation, functions and anatomy will reveal its detailed description.
Functions
The spine belongs to the main supporting function. It is impossible to imagine life without this organ. If his work is disturbed, then the person will not only not be able to walk, but just stand. Health in general directly depends on his condition. If you look at the structure of the human spine (diagram, designation are presented below), it is noticeable that it appears as a flexible rod. The humerus and extremities are attached to it. This is the full foundation of the whole body, because it also holds the head, ribs, collarbone and shoulder blades.
The spinal column protects the spinal cord, on the functioning of which the functioning of the most important systems and organs depends. Shocks, damage, negative environmental conditions cause great harm to health. The bone system under consideration protects against all these influences . Thanks to the joints between the vertebrae, movement occurs. There are almost fifty of them in the spinal column . We study the structure of the human spine, a diagram, the designation of which shows all its importance and significance.
General structure
The spine includes five sections with the corresponding number of vertebrae. There are bends on the sagittal and frontal planes. Thanks to them, the load is distributed evenly. There are several types of bends: with a bulge forward, they are called lordosis, backward - kyphosis, to the side - scoliosis.
If you look at the structure of the human spine, a diagram whose designation is particularly clear illustrates this, we notice in it the natural bends. However, they can be excessive. Then they talk about pathological changes. The integrity of the structure is ensured by joints, ligaments and intervertebral discs, which, when moving, give a shock-absorbing effect. This unique structure of the human spine allows us to move around painlessly.
Spinal column
Five sections are distinguished in the spinal column:
- cervical;
- thoracic;
- lumbar;
- sacrum;
- coccyx.
The spinal column begins with the cervical region, which is represented by a convex bend. He is the most mobile, thanks to which a person is able to tilt and turn his head, as well as move his neck. This is provided by the first two segments. They have an annular shape and are attached with special processes to the foramen magnum.
The cervical can be called the main. Three of the seven vertebrae have a special structure. The first, not having a body, but consisting of two arcs, rests the base of the skull. This vertebra is called Atlant. The next bone, an epistrophy, is also special. In front, she has a tooth-like process that serves as an awn, due to which the atlas rotates. The cervical region is closest to the brain. It provides normal functioning of the “gray matter”. Damage here can be fatal.
The thoracic section (in medicine it is called thoracic) is curved C-shaped. The back wall of the chest is directly connected with it due to the ribs that are attached to the vertebrae. This part of the spine is inactive, again, due to the proximity of the chest. But here, inclinations are still possible. Just their degree is much less in comparison with other departments. The ribs limit these movements, as they protect such critical organs as the lungs and heart. The intervertebral discs are low here, but the spinous processes are quite long.
The lumbar (or lumbar) is represented by the largest vertebrae. It is endowed with a smooth bend connecting the sacral and thoracic. The entire upper body presses on him, because of which serious work falls on his share. It is this department, along with the thoracic, that takes on the greatest load: when walking, jumping or running, it is responsible for the depreciation of the whole body. Therefore, in these parts, pathologies or injuries occur more often than others.
The two lower sections are only conditionally called vertebrae. The sacrum consists of a triangular bone, consisting of five fused vertebrae. Thanks to him, the spine is connected to the pelvis. The tailbone is the lowest part of the column. Its appearance resembles an inverted pyramid of curved shape. The tailbone connects the ligaments and muscles related to the genitourinary system. It transfers the load to the pelvic bones, being at the same time a fulcrum. It can be called the vestigial of the tail, which is partially rooted in the bones of the pelvis. The female skeleton differs from the male in this part. The coccyx bones are able to slightly diverge before childbirth, increasing the diameter of the maternity canal, thereby facilitating the process for both the woman in labor and the baby. Below is a complete map that describes in detail the structure of the human spine. Scheme, designation, functions on it are also available.
Vertebrae
The spine includes 24 vertebrae, connected to each other in series. They belong to:
- cervical spine (seven units);
- chest (twelve);
- lumbar (five).
Each of the vertebrae has the shape of a cylinder. And plays an important role reliable element of the supporting load. It has the shape of an arc - it is a half-ring with processes emanating from it. An opening is created on the arch and vertebral body. Formed on each vertebra, they all together create the spinal canal, in which the spinal cord, nerves and blood vessels are located.
Intervertebral discs
These elements have a flat rounded body with a special fluid inside and a disk core. The structure of the human spine (diagram, designation can also be seen in the figure below), thanks to the elastic disks, provides cushioning during vertical movement. The fibrous ring, preventing the displacement of the vertebrae, surrounds the pulpous nucleus. It can weaken with diseases of the spine, and sometimes even rupture, which causes intervertebral hernias.
Joints
The spine cannot exist without joints. They connect the vertebrae. The joints are covered with a smooth membrane, cartilage, due to which pain does not appear during friction of the vertebrae. Inside the joints is fluid that nourishes and lubricates the cartilage. Due to this, a person bends over, turns in different directions and makes other movements of his body.
Ligaments
Ligaments are of two types:
- yellow, combining arcs;
- posterior longitudinal connecting the vertebrae in this part of the column.
In the presence of pathological changes, they try to compensate for the high mobility of the joints and discs. As a result, hypertrophy occurs. Look at the structure of the human spine: the scheme, the designation in Russian is presented below. Thanks to the image, it is easy to understand how many vertebrae are in total and which department they belong to.
Muscle
Muscle tissue surrounds the spinal column. Due to this, the load and the risk of mechanical damage are significantly reduced. On the back there are superficial and deep muscles. The first helps the work of the shoulders and straightening the back. They include the broadest, trapezoid, rhomboid, dentate muscles.
Internal organs
Inside the spinal column is the spinal cord, surrounded by hard, arachnoid and soft membranes. This organ originates in the brain and ends on the first and second vertebra of the lower back. Each of its departments is responsible for certain organs of the human body. This function is provided due to the work of nerve impulses that go from the spinal cord and move directly to the internal organs. There are a huge number of nerve roots and cells in the spinal cord. And the structural features of the spine allow them to exit through the intervertebral openings.
Aging
Like any organ of the human body, the spine is aging in old age. Bad habits adversely affect him. Due to dehydration, the amortization properties are lost, and the ligaments and bones cease to be flexible enough and begin to harden. Degeneration can also occur in the disk, which is why most pathologies develop.
Conclusion
When studying the structure of the human spine, the scheme, designation, anatomy are of great importance. You involuntarily catch yourself thinking that, as always, there is nothing superfluous in this complex organism. Each segment performs the task assigned to it. Being a small link, it provides, together with other structures, the work of the whole organism.
Knowing what structure the human spine has, it becomes clear how important it is to pay due attention to it. A sedentary lifestyle causes tension in the back muscles, some of which do not support the spine at all. This mode leads to the fact that some departments are subjected to increased load, while others have the risk of injury even with slight fatigue.