The spine is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae, along with intervertebral discs, ligaments, muscles, and the spinal cord.
Here's a breakdown of the components and how they come together:
-
Vertebrae: These are the individual bony building blocks of the spine. Each vertebra consists of:
- Vertebral Body: The main, round, weight-bearing part of the vertebra.
- Pedicles: Two short, bony projections that extend backward from the vertebral body.
- Laminae: Two flat, bony plates that extend from the pedicles and join together at the back to form the spinal arch.
- Spinous Process: A bony projection that extends backward from the point where the laminae meet. You can feel these processes as the bumps down your spine.
- Transverse Processes: Bony projections that extend sideways from each side of the vertebra. These serve as attachment points for muscles and ligaments.
- Articular Processes: These processes connect the vertebrae to each other.
-
Spinal Canal: The vertebral body, pedicles, and laminae form a protective bony ring around the spinal cord. When the vertebrae are stacked on top of each other, these rings create a tunnel called the spinal canal.
-
Intervertebral Discs: These act as cushions between the vertebrae. They are made of a tough outer layer (annulus fibrosus) and a soft, gel-like inner core (nucleus pulposus). Discs absorb shock and allow for movement.
-
Ligaments: These strong, fibrous tissues connect the vertebrae to each other, providing stability and limiting excessive movement.
-
Muscles: Spinal muscles provide support, control movement, and maintain posture.
In Summary:
The spine is constructed by the precise assembly of vertebrae, each containing a vertebral body, pedicles, laminae, and processes. These vertebrae stack upon each other, separated by intervertebral discs and held together by ligaments and muscles, creating the spinal column and protecting the spinal cord within the spinal canal.
