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Vertebrae are numbered and named according to where they are located in the spinal cord. The spine is divided into four regions which contain vertebrae: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, and the sacral. Hover over each part to see what they do.
- Overview
- Function
- Anatomy
- Conditions and Disorders
- Care
Your spine is an important bone structure that supports your body and helps you walk, twist and move. Your spine is made up of vertebrae (bones), disks, joints, soft tissues, nerves and your spinal cord. Exercises can strengthen the core muscles that support your spine and prevent back injuries and pain.
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OverviewFunctionAnatomyConditions and DisordersCare
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What does the spine do?
Your spine has several important functions, including: Giving your body structure (shape). Supporting your body (posture). Protecting your spinal cord (nerves that connect your brain to the rest of your body). Allowing you to be flexible and move.
Where is the spine located?
Your spine is the long column of bones that extend from your neck to your lower back. Your spine starts at the base of your skull (head bone) and ends at your tailbone, a part of your pelvis (the large bony structure between your abdomen and legs).
What are the parts of the spine?
Vertebrae: Your spine has 33 stacked vertebrae (small bones) that form the spinal canal. The spinal canal is a tunnel that houses your spinal cord and nerves, protecting them from injury. Most vertebrae move to allow for a range of motion. The lowest vertebrae (sacrum and coccyx) are fused together and don’t move. Facet joints: These spinal joints have cartilage (a slippery connective tissue) that allows vertebrae to slide against each other. Facet joints let you twist and turn, and they provide flexibility and stability. Intervertebral disks: These flat, round cushions sit between the vertebrae and act as your spine’s shock absorbers. Each disk has a soft, gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) surrounded by a flexible outer ring (annulus fibrosus). Intervertebral disks are under constant pressure, which may cause the nucleus pulposus to squeeze out and contact nerves, leading to symptoms like sciatica. Spinal cord and nerves: Your spinal cord is a column of nerves that travels through your spinal canal. The cord extends from your skull to your lower back. Thirty-one pairs of nerves branch out through vertebral openings (neural foramen). These nerves carry messages between your brain and muscles. Soft tissues: Ligaments connect the vertebrae to hold your spine in position. Muscles support your spine and help you move. Tendons connect muscles to bone and help prevent muscle injury while aiding in movement.
What are common conditions that affect the spine?
Your spine plays an important role in your daily life. It gets a lot of wear and tear, putting it at risk for damage and injuries. Common conditions that affect spine health include: Arthritis and arthritic conditions, like ankylosing spondylitis. Back strains and sprains. Birth defects such as spina bifida. Bone spurs. Curvatures of the spine (scoliosis and kyphosis). Herniated disk. Other spine conditions include: Neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nerve injuries, like spinal stenosis, sciatica and pinched nerves. Osteoporosis. Spinal cord injuries, including spinal fractures and paralysis. Spine tumors and cancer. Spine infections, like meningitis and osteomyelitis.
How are spine conditions treated?
Treatment for each spine condition varies based on the type. Common treatments for spine conditions may include: Physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic adjustments. Medications (anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, etc.). Injections (epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, etc.). Spine surgery (discectomy, foraminotomy, fusion, etc.).
How can I keep my spine healthy?
Strong back muscles can protect your spine and prevent spine conditions. Try to do back-strengthening and stretching exercises at least twice a week. Exercises like planks strengthen your core (abdominal, side and back muscles) to give your spine more support. Other protective measures include: Bending your knees and keeping your back straight when lifting items. Maintaining a healthy weight. Using good posture (sitting up straight, not slouching). Talk to a healthcare provider about how you can keep your spine and other bones healthy.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience: Back pain with fever. Bowel or bladder control issues. Leg weakness or pain that moves from your back down to your legs. Numbness in your arms or legs. Pain that worsens, causes nausea, sleeplessness or interferes with daily activities.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Your spine is a complex structure of small bones, cushioning disks, nerves, joints, ligaments and muscles. This part of your anatomy is at risk of injury, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves and other conditions. Back pain can affect your ability to complete your daily routine or participate in activities you enjoy. Your healthcare provider can help ease back pain and offer suggestions to strengthen the muscles that support your spine to prevent injuries. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/18/2023. Learn more about our editorial process.
Sep 12, 2023 · The vertebral column (spine or backbone) is a curved structure composed of bony vertebrae that are interconnected by cartilaginous intervertebral discs. It is part of the axial skeleton and extends from the base of the skull to the tip of the coccyx. The spinal cord runs through its center.
- Medical Content
Jan 23, 2018 · The vertebral column, also known as the spinal column, is a flexible column that encloses the spinal cord and also supports the head. It consists of various groups of vertebrae and is divided...
Feb 3, 2023 · A vertebra is one of the 33 individual bones that make up the spinal column. Each vertebra is separated from the other by an intervertebral disc, which acts as a shock absorber. The parts of a vertebra are: Body: The main part of the vertebra that provides support for the spinal column.
- Physician
- University of California San Francisco
Dec 5, 2023 · The entire spinal column consists of 33 individual bones called vertebrae, plus two sections of naturally fused vertebrae – the sacrum and the coccyx – located at the very bottom of the spine. All of these bones and sections are important to the spine’s ability to function properly.
People also ask
How many vertebrae are in a spinal column?
How are vertebrae numbered?
How many stacked vertebrae are in a spinal canal?
How many bones are in a vertebral column?
What is a vertebral column?
What is the difference between a vertebra and a disc?
The vertebral column, commonly known as the spine, spinal column, or backbone, is a flexible hollow structure through which the spinal cord runs. It comprises 33 small bones called vertebrae, which remain separated by cartilaginous intervertebral discs.
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