In spinal anatomy, each individual part is called a vertebra. The spine is made up of bones and cartilage. The joints connecting the vertebrae are called facet joints. When viewed from the front, the spine has a straight appearance, but when viewed from the side, its curved structure can be seen. The forward curve in the neck region is called "cervical lordosis," the backward curve in the thoracic region is called "thoracic kyphosis," and the forward curve in the lower back region is called "lumbar lordosis." The spinal cord, which is approximately 43-45 cm long and located within the spine, begins from the brainstem. The spine is approximately 70 cm long in men and 60 cm long in women. The spine carries the weight of the torso.
What Are the Sections of the Spine?
The spine is made up of vertebrae. There are 33-34 vertebrae in the spine. They extend from the base of the skull to the coccyx, and the sections of the spine are divided as follows;
- Cervical Vertebrae; there are 7 vertebrae in this section called the cervical spine.
- Thoracic Vertebrae; there are 12 vertebrae in this section called the thoracic spine.
- Lumbar Vertebrae; there are 5 vertebrae in this section called the lumbar spine.
- The structure forming the sacrum; there are 5 vertebrae in this section called the sacral spine
- The structure forming the coccyx; there are 4 vertebrae in this section called the coccygeal spine.
The sacral and coccygeal regions are located in the lower part of the spine. These two sections are fused together and are immobile. The vertebrae in the neck, thoracic, and lumbar regions are connected to each other by discs and are mobile. This allows movement of the torso.
Spinal Disorders
Spinal disorders may occur with aging, but they can also begin from birth. Spinal disorders can be listed as follows:
Scoliosis; it is a curvature of the spine. It refers to curvature occurring in the lumbar and thoracic regions. It is a curvature toward the right or left. This condition, which can develop from an early age, is generally noticed during adolescence.
Kyphosis; it is also known as hunchback. There is a forward curvature.
Spinal canal stenosis; this condition, which generally occurs at older ages, may cause lower back pain due to narrowing of the spinal canal within the spine. The cause of narrowing of the spinal canal is calcification and enlargement of the joints. The formation of bony protrusions causes narrowing of the spinal canal.
Spinal fractures; they may occur as a result of osteoporosis or severe trauma to the spine.
Lumbar disc herniation; it occurs when the nuclei of the disc joints in the spine protrude outside the joint. Lumbar disc herniation may be caused by aging, as well as inactivity or excess weight.
Cervical disc herniation; there are a total of 7 vertebrae in the neck. Cervical disc herniation occurs as a result of degeneration of the nucleus of the disc joint between the vertebrae in the neck. Cervical disc herniation may occur due to age, posture disorders, and injuries.
How Can Spinal Health Be Protected?
Since the spine carries the weight of the body, paying attention to spinal health is important for maintaining body balance. Posture disorders may cause spinal diseases. Therefore, it is important to sit or walk without slouching. Since the spine itself is curved, posture should be maintained without disrupting this natural curved structure. Performing stretching exercises, even for 5-10 minutes every day, may help protect spinal health. When lifting heavy objects, it is necessary to lift them by properly adjusting the point of force. The spine should be supported during such heavy lifting activities. Excess weight is also harmful to spinal health. It is important to maintain an ideal weight by paying attention to nutrition and incorporating physical activity into daily life.
The better a person's general health is, the better their spinal health will be. Attention should be paid to getting enough sleep, drinking enough water daily, and consuming a fiber-rich diet. Walking is also beneficial for the spine. Walking helps strengthen the muscles and maintain balance. Daily walking may help support spinal flexibility and balance.