Anatomy of Spinal Cord :

http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s2/chapter03.html
The spinal cord is divided into four different regions: the cervical, thoracic,
lumbar and sacral regions. The cord is segmentally organized. There are 31 segme
nts, defined by 31 pairs of nerves exiting the cord. These nerves are divided in
to 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar (L1 L5), 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal nerve.

The L4-L5 are the two lowest vertebrae in the lumbar spine, and together with th
e attached disc, joints, nerves and soft tissues, it provides a variety of funct
ions, including supporting the upper body and allowing motion in multiple direct
ions.

However, with its heavy load and range of flexibility, the L4-L5 segment is also
prone to developing pain from injury and/or from degenerative changes, such as:

The L4 vertebra can slip forward over the L5 vertebra, impinging the nerve root
and causing lower back and/or leg pain (sciatica)

The L4-L5 disc, in between the L4 and L5 vertebrae, can herniate or degenerate,
leading to possible leg pain (sciatica) and/or lower back pain

The two joints called facet joints (or zygapophyseal joints), which connect to t
he L4 and L5 vertebrae in the back of the spine, can allow abnormal amount of mo
tion and/or develop osteoarthritis

The back of the L4-L5 segment has a nerve that passes through it, from inside th
e spinal canal down through the back of each leg (as part of the sciatic nerve).
This nerve is called the L4 nerve root. If any in inflammatory proteins from in
side the disc herniate and come in contact with this nerve, or if anything press
es against it, pain can travel down the nerve (called a radiculopathy, or sciati
ca).
The base of the spine is made up of the intricate L5-S1 vertebral segment, also
called the lumbosacral joint. This spinal segment has several interconnected com
ponents, any of which can cause lower back and/or leg pain (sciatica):

The lowest of the lumbar spine's five vertebrae (called L5) can slip forward ove
r the first vertebra of the sacrum (called S1) and cause pain by compressing the
nerve root

The L5-S1 disc, which lies between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, can lead to leg pain
and/or lower back pain if the inner portion of the disc herniates or if the dis
c degenerates

The L5 and S1 vertebrae are connected in the back of the spine by two joints cal
led facet joints (or zygapophyseal joints), which can lead to pain if they allow
abnormal amount of motion or degenerate

There is a nerve that passes from the spinal canal through an opening in the bac
k of the L5-S1 segment and runs down the back of each leg (as part of the large
sciatic nerve). This nerve is called the L5 nerve root. It can lead to leg pain
(sciatica) if any structure presses against it or if the highly inflammatory pro
teins from the inner portion of the disc leak out and touch it.
The structures in this lumbosacral segment combine together to provide both a st
rong and stable base for the spine and a multifunctional joint that allows the t
orso to twist and bend in all directions.