The human spinal column: structure. Cervical spine

The human spine, in other words, the vertebral column, is the main supporting component of the skeleton. It is made up of separate vertebrae, which are fastened together by the intervertebral joint, and originates from the base of the skull, to which the first vertebra, called the atlas, is attached. This attachment is movable through the atlanto-axial and atlanto-occipital joints. The connection of a non-rigid type has a large degree of free movement. In the lower parts of the human spinal column is practically immobile, here on the sides is connected to the ileum of the pelvis with the help of the sacroiliac joints.

Vertebral column: Anatomy

The human spine in its structure has 5 divisions-segments. How many vertebrae in the spine of a person? The exact answer does not exist. With full health, there are 32 to 34 vertebrae, because the number of them in the human spinal column is directly dependent on the structure of the final (coccygeal) segment, which includes from two to four rudimentary ones, which we got from our ancestors from the animal kingdom.

Bends

In a normal, healthy state, there is absolutely no level, but has physiological curves of the spinal column. Anatomy of this creates conditions for maintaining vertical balance and tolerability of acute motor actions. To better understand how many bends exist in the vertebral column of the human body, it is necessary to consider its scheme and understand the importance of the shape of the anatomical structure for practice.

In total, there are four bends in the spinal column in a normal state: 2 - ventral (that is, with a bend forward), 2 - dorsal (with a bend back). In addition, vertebral bends of a person have a connection with posture, pathological states are often encountered, in which the correct character of the column undergoes some influence, from this the bends undergo transformation, and the position of the body created by them changes in the same way. In addition, with the formation of painful changes, normal bends that deepen in a healthy state deepen. Then the bending depth of a certain section is strengthened, and as a result of such a process, corresponding changes are also formed in the remaining parts of the spinal column.

Departments of the spinal column

The spine is divided into five following sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral (sacrum), coccygeal.

It should be noted that the bends of the column of the human skeleton have a connection with the departments of the spine. The lumbar and cervical spine are bent forward (or lordozis), thoracic and sacral, respectively, in the posterior (or kiphosis).

The cervical spine has seven separate vertebrae, and it has the greatest mobile ability. A healthy human body is able to produce a variety of inclined and rotational movements of the head, rotational movements of the neck part with a sufficiently large deviation. Such unimaginable flexibility creates the structure of the cervical segment, more precisely, the uniqueness of the first two vertebrae:

• The atlas, which is equipped with two handles, it lacks a body;

• the epistrophe has in its structure a tooth-shaped process, around which the rotational movements of the atlant are made.

Thoracic department

The structure of the thoracic spine is extremely light. The spine in the thoracic region encompasses twelve vertebrae with ribs extending to one side. On the front surface of the trunk, the ribs have a connection through the sternum and thus form the so-called thorax - an education for the reliable protection of important internal organs - the heart and lungs. It should be noted that the structure of the thoracic part of the column in humans is similar to that of vertebrate mammals. All twelve vertebrae of the thoracic segment are similar in anatomical structure. Only descending to the lumbar region, the vertebral bodies expand in size and become somewhat more massive.

Lumbar segment and sacrum

The vertebral column (structure) of the lumbar spine creates the conditions for the performance of various motor acts - turns of the trunk, rotations and inclinations in different directions. The vertebral column in the lumbar region undergoes the most significant load. Thus, the vertebrae are much larger than in the previous segments: the body parameters increase from the top down (from the first to the fifth).

At the time of birth, the human spine in the sacral region has five distinct vertebrae. But gradually the development of the spinal column leads to the fusion of the vertebrae and the formation of a common structural part - the sacrum.

The Coccygeal Department

The vertebral column in the coccyx division has from three to five isolated vertebrae. How many vertebrae in the coccygeal segment can be determined only with the help of a special instrumental examination (radiographic or tomographic).

Structure of the spinal column

The connection of two vertebrae, standing in the neighborhood, is carried out by means of intervertebral disks, which have different sizes. They provide a pillar of plastic and elasticity. The largest discs are lumbar and cervical parts of the spine of the human body. However, due to this good mobility and disk power, these segments are most severely injured. Also, it is often formed herniated discs and various in the chronic form of the pathology of the musculoskeletal system. The most common type of disease is osteochondrosis, a degenerative-dystrophic pathological process of intervertebral discs.

The human spine is built from the hotel anatomical formations - vertebrae, intervertebral discs and articular joints (joints).

Functions of the human spine

The spinal column is the main musculoskeletal system of man. It also makes it possible to maintain the balance of the trunk, serves as the motor axis and performs a protective function. Muscles of the vertebral column in combination with the central nervous system create the conditions for the following actions:

• Slopes in different directions;

• Extensor flexion and flexion;

• rotational movements around its axis;

• Bipedal.

The part of the cervical (from the third to the seventh vertebra), the thoracic and lumbar parts are endowed with the same structure of the intervertebral joints, except for the altered first and second vertebrae of the cervical segment and sacral segment in the human body in the adult state (it consists of five fused vertebrae and completely immobile).

Intervertebral joints are located on the processes of the vertebrae and create conditions for the mobile ability of the column. To move a certain vertebra practically it is not possible, as at disturbance of rest of one vertebra immediately move nearby. The greatest mobility is endowed with cervical and lumbar areas, the vertebrae of the rest can only move slightly.

The most common pathologies and vertebral column: the anatomy of the relationship

Anatomy of the cervical segment of the spine makes it a weak link for the onset of osteochondrosis. This pathology consists in a degenerative degenerative process in intervertebral discs of non-inflammatory nature. With this disease, connective and cartilaginous tissues are involved in the process. A similar disease develops in the lumbar spine, and the thoracic segment is rarely statistically affected.

Lumbar and cervical areas are prone to the formation of herniated intervertebral discs - Schmorl. This process manifests itself in the form of a gelatinous nucleus exit beyond the disk boundaries. This pathology is aggravated by problems from the circulatory and nervous systems, since these protrusions can squeeze blood vessels in the spine (vertebral), as well as nerve roots that drain from the spinal cord. The last complication is called radiculitis, because the roots become inflamed as a result of the squeezing.

The human spine may undergo an inflammatory process (including an autoimmune reaction or trauma) in the joints - arthritis.

Clinically, most of the diseases of the spine passes with significant pain, decreased mobility of the column and other signs.

All described pathologies require timely therapy, and sometimes even immediate intervention.

Danger is also present and injuries of the spinal column.

First aid in getting an injury

It is necessary to provide the injured horizontal position with the maximum extension of the spine and immobility before the arrival of the ambulance. It is forbidden to force the injured person to move and transport him, because there is a possibility of new injuries and, consequently, complications. Transportation of the injured is allowed in exceptional cases - in case of danger while leaving on site.

The human vertebral column is a unique structure in the body that is endowed with supporting, protective, motor functions. Thus, caring for the physical condition, the prevention of pathologies and their timely therapy are necessary to preserve health. The vertebrae and the vertebral column, with the peculiarity of their structure in some areas, enable a person to perform upright walking and compensate for the loads that act on the component parts of the spine and maintain the motor ability throughout life.