Why does a person need a spine? Just think about how important it is for the body. After all, in fact, this is a kind of support of the body, consisting of 32 or 34 vertebrae. All of them are connected to each other with the help of joints, ligaments, intervertebral discs. The latter are the so-called cartilage. It is important to know the structure of the spine, so that in case of problems with it, timely eliminate them.
Human spine: anatomy and structure
This part of the human body is quite simple in structure, because it consists of only a few departments, each of which, in turn, includes a certain number of vertebrae (usually called them, starting from the top):
- cervical spine: consists of 7 vertebrae. It is important to note that the bone located on the back side of the skull is not considered and is called its null vertebra;
- thoracic: consists of 12 vertebrae;
- lumbar: consists of 5 vertebrae;
- sacral section: consists of 5 vertebrae, which in an adult are fused into the sacral bone;
- coccygeal section: consists of 3-5 vertebrae that grow together in one coccygeal bone.
Many of us have repeatedly met the human spine in the medical literature. His photo clearly demonstrates that the vertebrae are interconnected by discs, articular processes, ligaments (by the way, they are located in front, behind and on both sides of the vertebral bodies). Such a diverse combination of vertebrae provides the mobility to man, which he was so generously endowed with nature. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail: ligaments are some restraints that can hold the body, and the muscles located around the spine provide it with maximum movement. If the load on them is great, there is back pain and general malaise.
What are the functions of the spine?
First you need to understand that each part of the spine performs certain tasks related to the normalization of the work of a particular area of your body. So, the functions of the human spine, divided into 5 departments:
- The thoracic part plays the most important role in this case, it is he, together with the ribs and sternum, that forms the chest as a whole. I want to clarify that the ribs are separate bones that are attached to the spine, as if being a continuation of it. The chest protects organs and provides them with immobility. But due to the fact that there are joints between the ribs and the spine, we can freely breathe in and out.
- It is important that between the vertebrae of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions there are special pads in the form of discs. For example, due to the fact that there are cervical intervertebral discs, a person is able to tilt his head in both directions.
Now it is advisable to note the functions of the spine as a whole:
- it serves as a specific shock absorber in the event of falls, bumps, shocks;
- the spinal cord is located in the spine, it is thanks to it that the body is a whole (it connects the brain and all other parts of the body);
- due to the fact that the human spine binds the entire body, the skeleton acquires rigidity, and the head is easily held in an upright position;
- promotes the mobility of a person, which he needs in life;
- it is on the spine that all the major muscles and hips are held.
What is the function of the cartilage discs between the vertebrae?
To begin with, it would be nice to understand what an intervertebral disc is. In simple words, this is a kind of layer between two adjacent vertebrae.
The shape is round, similar to a pill. The structure of the
cartilage of the intervertebral disc is very complex.
The center is occupied by the pulpous nucleus, which is a shock-absorbing element with every movement of the spine. This is because his structure is very elastic.
Note that the vertebrae, despite their mobility, do not move at all relative to each other. This is due to the fact that there is a fibrous ring around the nucleus in the intervertebral disc. Its structure is not simple due to the large number of different layers. This ring contains many fibers. All this connects and crosses in three directions. Strong and durable. But due to the fact that the intervertebral discs tend to wear out over time, the fibers can gradually turn into scars. Such a disease is called osteochondrosis. By the way, it often causes severe pain. As a result, the fibrous ring can break and then surgical intervention is unlikely to be avoided.
An interesting fact is that no vessels pass through the intervertebral disc of an adult. Some may object and ask a question about how then he eats. This process occurs due to the penetration of oxygen and nutrients from the vertebrae located nearby (namely, from the vessels that pierce them). Therefore, drugs, which often strive to treat diseases associated with damage to the intervertebral discs, are simply useless. Here it is better to resort to laser plastics, then the effect will be one hundred percent.
Based on the above features of the anatomy of the intervertebral disc, we can conclude what function is performed by the cartilage discs between the vertebrae. Firstly, they protect the spine from injuries due to excessive physical exertion, falls, shock, etc. Secondly, it is with the help of them that our body is flexible and is able to actively move in different directions. It is important to know that the thickness of the intervertebral discs can be different. It all depends on the spine in which they are located:
- cervical spine: 5-6 mm;
- thoracic: the thinnest discs - 3-4 mm;
- lumbar: 10-12 mm.
Since the spine has a physiological curvature forward in the cervical and lumbar regions, it must be understood that here the intervertebral discs will be slightly thicker.
If you look closely at the photo of the spine, you can easily see that the diameter of the intervertebral discs is 2-3 mm larger than the vertebrae themselves. I wonder if you knew that the length of a person’s spine changes throughout the day. In the morning it is 1 cm more than in the evening. This is explained by the fact that during the day, under the influence of gravitational forces, the distance between the disks decreases, during the night everything comes back to normal. By the way, why does the structure of the intervertebral discs change with age? This happens because their absorbency worsens, they wear out, the spine becomes prone to damage. To prevent this from happening, you need to exercise as much as possible throughout your life, spend time in the fresh air and eat right. Thanks to these simple rules, the intervertebral discs are well saturated with oxygen. Then, by age, there will be no question of any intervertebral hernia.
Bends in the spine - is this normal?
Yes, the answer of the doctors is definitely positive.
With the help of them, a certain springy effect is formed that promotes walking, running, jumping and other physical exercises. After all, the main functions of the human spine are reduced to creating maximum body mobility. Just imagine if there was a human spine. His photo clearly demonstrates the opposite, it can be clearly seen that the vertebrae formed something like a wave:
- lordosis in the neck - the spine in this place is slightly curved forward;
- kyphosis in the chest - the spine is bent back;
- lordosis in the lumbar region: the back spine bends forward;
- kyphosis in the sacral region: a slight bend back is visible.
This is a completely natural look of the spine, and bends are considered its physiological feature.
Facet joints: anatomy. Intervertebral foramen
Those processes that depart from the vertebrae are called joints. Their anatomy is simple. In addition to the intervertebral cartilaginous disks connecting the vertebrae, facet joints play the same role. These processes (look like some arcs) are directed inward, as if looking at each other. At their end is articular cartilage. Its nutrition and lubrication is carried out due to the fluid available inside the joint capsule. It is with this that the processes of joints end. The main function of facet joints is to provide a certain mobility of the human body.
The intervertebral (foraminal) openings are designed specifically to allow veins and nerve roots to pass through them. Their location is interesting: on two sides of each vertebra. They are formed with the help of articular processes, legs and bodies of two adjacent vertebrae.
How does the spine change with age?
Age-related anatomy and physiology is also characteristic of the spine. Although, it would seem, the spine is a rigid pillar, which is the basis of our entire body.
Of course, the structure of cartilage tissue allows us to make various movements, but nevertheless, the spine is a strong foundation, and it is very strange that time affects it. Just want to note that this is a completely normal physiological feature of the human body. Throughout life, the human spine not only increases in length and gains a certain mass, but also undergoes significant changes:
- during the first months of life, any child is in a horizontal position, his spine is straight. Then there is a transition to an upright position, because of which the spine acquires its characteristic physiological bends in its departments (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral);
- over time, all cartilage tissue turns into bone. It is said that in this way the spine becomes stronger;
The structure of the intervertebral disc is also subject to significant changes.
The age-related anatomy and physiology of the human spine is characterized by two main indicators:
- The growth of a person and the ratio of the proportions of his body throughout life. There are certain averaged indicators that are considered the norm and allow you to determine whether the spine is developing correctly. Indeed, in the first 20 years of a person’s life, the spine grows as fast as possible, which can cause various deviations and diseases. That is why the child in the first years of life must be shown to specialists for the prevention of various diseases.
- The growth of the spine by segments on average per year. This indicator is calculated using a special formula, which also allows you to evaluate the development of the spine.
Spinal segment
The human spinal column has a certain functional unit, which is the spinal-motor segment. In fact, this is the connection of two neighboring vertebrae together with ligaments, discs, joints and everything else. Thus, we once again denote what function the cartilage discs between the vertebrae perform. They are a special mount that allows a person to make various movements. Also, spinal mobility is created due to facet joints. Through special openings that pass along the side of the spine, nerve endings and blood vessels are pulled. The vertebral-motor segment is a set of interconnected elements. Violation of one of them entails a lot of consequences. It can manifest itself in two ways:
- segmental block: neighboring vertebrae do not move, and the activity of the human body is carried out at the expense of other segments. In this case, pain often occurs;
- segmental instability: the opposite situation when movements between adjacent vertebrae are excessive. In this case, not only pain occurs, but also the problem can hide much deeper: nerve endings are affected.
Remember that any pain in the spine can occur either in one specific place, or immediately everywhere. In any case, the lesion focus can be determined only with the help of special studies and the advice of a competent specialist.
Nerve endings and spinal cord
The connection of the vertebrae occurs inside the spine due to the spinal cord, the basis of the central nervous system of a person. Due to it (with the help of incoming signals from the brain), the work of the whole organism is regulated. The spinal cord is a large thread consisting of a huge number of nerve fibers and endings. It is located in the so-called "dural sac", which is well protected from external influences by three different shells (soft, in the form of a web, solid).
Around him is constantly present cerebrospinal fluid. Each section of the spine, and accordingly, all the muscles, tissues, organs and systems located around, are regulated by a specific area of the spinal cord.
Muscles located near the spine and their functions
It has already become clear that the main functions of the spine are reduced to providing movement to a person. This is done thanks to the muscles that attach to the vertebrae. When we talk about back pain, we often do not even suspect that the problem is not at all in the spine or disks. In fact, a specific muscle can be pulled. But complications in the spine can cause involuntary contraction of adjacent muscles, i.e. essentially the opposite situation. When such a spasm occurs, lactic acid is produced in the muscle fibers (glucose is oxidized), which is caused by the lack of access of oxygen to the blood. Such pain is very familiar to pregnant women. They experience it in labor during labor due to improper breathing. But you just have to relax a little, and the discomfort disappears, as the spasm disappears.
Spinal problems
Initially, everything was conceived by nature in a completely different way. After all, no one imagined that modern women and men would turn into motionless creatures that are in the same (and for them absolutely uncomfortable) pose throughout the working day. The spine becomes numb, experiencing an incredible load. But everyone perfectly knows one simple truth: movement is life, and it's hard to argue with that. Of course, there are still a huge number of problems in this system that are caused by poor ecology, improper and unbalanced nutrition, wearing uncomfortable clothes and shoes, etc. To fix the current situation is quite simple, you should follow some simple tips:
- lead an active lifestyle regularly. Physical education and sport are the main assistants;
- create comfort around you: comfortable furniture, clothes and shoes will help you relax during the work day;
- prophylactically visit, for example, an orthopedist, who is able to visualize problems with the spine during a visual examination. This is especially true for young children.
Another back pain may be due to the fact that the intervertebral discs have worn out. Modern doctors like to talk about it with almost everyone. But in reality this rarely happens. Degeneration of the intervertebral discs can be caused by various reasons, including excessive physical activity and tissue aging. Treatment usually involves surgery.
What function do cartilage discs between the vertebrae perform, we clearly understood. They provide proper movement to the person and, if possible, prevent damage to the spine. Do not think that the pain suddenly arising in the spine will surely pass by itself. It may be quiet for a while, but this is only the first signal of big problems.
Do not be lazy to timely contact experienced and competent specialists who will help you prevent the development of serious diseases in the spine. After all, this is the basis of our entire body! The health of the whole organism and that carefree old age, which everyone so dreams of, directly depends on it. Take care of yourself and be healthy!