The human spine is a very complex mechanism, the functioning of all organs depends on the proper functioning of which.
The spine includes 32-33 vertebrae: cervical (7 pcs.), Thoracic (12 pcs.), Lumbar (5 pcs.), Sacral (5 pcs.) And coccygeal (3-4 pcs.). Between the vertebrae there are intervertebral discs (23 pcs.). Vertebrae make up different parts of the spine.
The vertebrae are combined among themselves by the ligamentous-muscular apparatus, intervertebral discs, and joints. All this allows you to hold the spine in an upright position and provide it with the necessary freedom of movement. The elastic properties inherent in the intervertebral discs significantly soften tremors and tremors when walking, jumping and running, which are transmitted to the brain and spinal cord.
Spine
The spine consists of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and tailbone.
The cervical region refers to the upper parts of the spinal column. It is distinguished by special mobility, which creates freedom and a variety of head movements. The upper cervical vertebrae, called atlas and axis, have an anatomical structure that differs from the structure of the remaining vertebrae. Atlas and axis are responsible for tilting and turning the human head.
The thoracic region is responsible for the chest, which contains vital organs, for this reason it is inactive. Ribs (12 pairs) are attached to it.
The lumbar spine is composed of fairly massive vertebrae, because they are subjected to the greatest load. Some people have six lumbar vertebrae. This phenomenon in medicine is called lumbarization. 8-10 vertebrae, fused, form the sacral spine.
In the vertebra there is a body, an arch, two legs, a spinous, two transverse and four articular processes. The spinal canal is formed from the vertebral foramen between the arch, legs and vertebral body.
Between two adjacent vertebrae there is an intervertebral disc, which makes up the fibrous ring and the nucleus pulposus. It performs the functions of depreciation, retention of adjacent vertebrae, ensuring their mobility. The nucleus is enclosed in a fibrous ring that holds the nucleus in the center and prevents vertebrae from shifting.
The fibrous ring consists of many layers and fibers that intersect in three planes. In osteochondrosis, the fibers of the fibrous ring are replaced by scar tissue, which can sometimes cause the fibrous ring to rupture and form a herniated disc.
All parts of the spine are equipped with a ligamentous apparatus. The vertebral segment is two vertebrae with a disk and a ligamentous apparatus.
In the spinal canal is the spinal cord, as well as the roots of the so-called "ponytail." The spinal cord begins in the area of the brain and stretches to the first and second lumbar vertebrae.
The spinal cord, which travels through all parts of the spine, is surrounded by hard, soft and arachnoid membranes and is fixed in the spinal canal by fiber and roots.
Nerve roots branch out from the spinal cord (31 pairs), which exit from the intervertebral (foraminar) openings of the spinal canal.
Man, like other vertebrates, has segmental innervation of the body, i.e. each of the segments of the spinal cord is responsible for a specific organ.
For example, the neck and arms are innervated by segments related to the cervical spine, the chest and abdomen are the thoracic spine, the sacral part innervates the legs, perineum, rectum and bladder.
In the spinal cord there is a cervical and lumbar thickening. An intervertebral hernia in the cervical region is more dangerous than in the lumbar.
According to the area in which disorders of motor function and sensitivity are observed, the doctor can always guess where the damage occurred and which parts of the spine were affected.