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General Information
5 regions and 31 vertebrae:
Cervical region (7 vertebrae C1-C7)
Thoracic region (12 vertebrae T1-T12)
Lumbar region (5 vertebrae L1-L5)
Sacrum (5 fused vertebrae S1-S4)
Coccyx (4 fused vertebrae)
General Structure
Spinal Shape
Cervical Spine
Cervical Spine
Characteristics:
Most mobilized part of the spine.
Lack of or flat vertebral body.
Appear of Atlas (C1) and Axis
(C2).
Appear of transverse foramen in
each vertebra for the vertebral
arteries that supply blood to the
brain.
Note: C1 serves as a
ring or washer that
the skull rests upon
and articulates in a
pivot joint with the
dens of C2.
Approximately 50%
of flexion extension
of the neck happens
between the occiput
and C1; 50% of the
rotation of the neck
happens between C1
and C2.
Cervical Spine
Thoracic Spine
Thoracic Spine
Characteristics:
Unique function on the transverse process with the
appear of costal facets
Longest spine
Heart-shaped and thick vertebral body.
Limited flexibility
Thinner intervertebral discs.
Narrower spinal canal.
Thoracic Spine
Lumbar Spine
Lumbar Spine
Characteristics:
Kidney-shape, broader, thicker vertebral body.
House only little portion of spinal cord (L1),
but entire portion of cauda equina.
C-shape curve structure
Lumbar Spine