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Anatomy of the Spine

The spine, also called the backbone, plays a vital role in stability, smooth movement and protection of the delicate spinal cord. It is made up of bony segments called vertebrae with fibrous tissue called intervertebral discs between them. The vertebrae and discs form the spinal column from the neck to the pelvis, giving symmetry and support to the body.

Parts of a Vertebra

A single vertebra is made up of two parts, the front portion is called the body and the back portion is referred to as the vertebral or neural arch. The body is cylindrical in shape, strong and stable. Two strong pedicle bones join the vertebral arch to the body of the vertebrae.

The laminae of the vertebra can be described as a pair of flat-arched bones that form a component of the vertebral arch. The transverse processes spread out from the side of the pedicles like wings and help to anchor the surrounding muscle to the vertebral arch. The spinous process forms a steeple at the apex of the laminae and is the part of our spine that is felt directly under the skin.

Spinal Canal

The spinal canal is formed by the placement of single vertebral foramina one on top of the other to form a canal. The purpose of the canal is to create a bony casing from the head to the lower back, through which the spinal cord passes.

Cervical Spine Anatomy

The spine can be divided into 4 parts: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral region. The cervical spine comprises of the first 7 vertebrae, which form the neck.

The cervical spine is highly mobile compared to the thoracic or lumbar spine. In contrast to other parts of the spine, the cervical spine has transverse foramina in each vertebra through which the vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain.

Based on the structural diversity in the cervical spine, it can be divided into two parts: the upper and lower cervical spine.

Upper Cervical Spine

The upper cervical spine comprises of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2), which are different from rest of the cervical vertebrae. The atlas vertebra articulates with the occiput superiorly at the atlanto-occipital joint and with the axis inferiorly at the atlantoaxial joint. Generally, the atlantoaxial joint is accountable for half of the cervical rotational movements; while the atlanto-occipital joint is responsible for half of the flexion and extension movements of the neck.

Atlas (C1)

In contrast to other vertebrae, the atlas is ring-shaped without a body. The odontoid process or dens of the axis represents the fused remnants of the body of the atlas. The transverse ligament firmly opposes the odontoid process to the posterior portion of the anterior arch of atlas and provides stability to the atlantoaxial joint.

The atlas comprises of a thick anterior arch, a thin posterior arch, two prominent lateral masses, and two transverse processes. The transverse process surrounds the transverse foramen, through which the vertebral artery passes. A zygapophyseal joint is present on the superior and inferior aspect of the lateral mass. The superior articular facets articulate with the occipital condyles and are kidney-shaped, concave, projecting upward and inward, while the inferior articular facets are comparatively flat, projecting downward and inward, and articulate with the superior facets of the axis.

Axis (C2)

The axis possesses a large vertebral body with the odontoid process or dens. It also has heavy pedicles, laminae and transverse processes that help in the attachment of muscles.

Lower Cervical Spine

The remaining five cervical vertebrae, C3-C7, form the lower cervical spine. They are similar to each other, but distinct from C1 and C2. Each of these cervical vertebrae has a body with a concave superior surface and convex inferior surface. The superior surfaces of the bodies have raised processes called uncinate processes that articulate with the inferior lateral portion of the vertebral body present above, called echancrure or anvil.

The C3-C6 vertebrae have bifid spinous processes, meaning they are split into two parts, while C7 has a non-bifid, rounded spinous process.

Intervertebral Disc

The intervertebral discs are flat and round, present between the lumbar vertebrae and act as shock absorbers when you walk or run. There is a soft, gelatinous material in the center (nucleus pulposus) that is encased in strong elastic tissue, forming a ring around it called annulus fibrosus.

Facet Joint

Facet joints are synovial joints that give the spine it's flexibility by sliding on the articular processes of the vertebra below. Compared to other parts of the spine, the joint capsules are quite loose in the cervical region to facilitate smooth movement.

What is Lumbar Spine Anatomy?

The spine also called the back bone, plays a vital role in stability, smooth movement and protection of the delicate spinal cord. It is made up of bony segments called vertebra with fibrous tissue called intervertebral discs between them. The vertebra and discs form the spinal column from the head to the pelvis, giving symmetry and support to the body.

The laminae of the vertebra can be described as a pair of flat arched bones that form a component of the vertebral arch. The transverse processes spread out from the side of the pedicles, like wings, and help to anchor the surrounding muscle to the vertebral arch. The spinous process forms a steeple at the apex of the laminae and is the part of our spine that is felt directly under the skin.

The spinal canal is formed by the placement of single vertebral foramina, one on top of the other, to form a canal. The purpose of the canal is to create a bony casing from the head to the lower back through which the spinal cord passes.

The spine can be divided into 4 parts: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral region. The thoracic spine has an outward curve called kyphosis, whereas the lumbar spine has a slightly inward curve, which is called lordosis.

The lumbar spine is composed of the lower 5 vertebrae, which have been numbered L1–L5. The lowest vertebra of the lumbar spine (L5) is connected to the top of the sacrum, which is a triangular bone present at the base of the spine fitting into the two pelvic bones. In some cases, an extra or sixth lumbar vertebra may be present.

The lumbar vertebral bodies are seen to be taller and bulkier than the rest of the spine, as the lower back has to withstand higher pressure due to body weight and other movements such as lifting, pulling, and twisting. In addition, large and powerful muscles are found to be attached on or near the lumbar spine to provide extra strength to the lumbar vertebral bodies.

The transverse processes in the lower back are broader, compared to that in the other areas of the spine, because of the attachment of large back muscles which exert heavy force on them.

There are two facet joints present between a pair of vertebrae, one on either side of the spine. A facet joint is comprised of small, bony knobs arranged along the back of the spine. Two vertebrae are connected to each other through these knobs and form a facet joint. These joints aid in the free movement of the spine.

Articular cartilage covers the surfaces of the facet joints to assist in smooth, frictionless movement between the bones in the joint.

A small tunnel called the neural foramen is present on either side of the vertebra. It is through these foramina that the two nerves leave the spine. The intervertebral disc is present at the opening of the foramen. The lumbar intervertebral discs are flat and round, present between the lumbar vertebrae and act as shock absorbers when you walk or run. There is a soft, gelatinous material in the center (nucleus pulposus) which is encased in strong elastic tissue forming a ring around it called annulus fibrosus. Ageing, injury or trauma may cause the annulus fibrosus to tear resulting in protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. This may compress the spinal nerves and/or spinal canal.

Bony spurs on the facet joint may project on the tunnel, resulting in narrowing of the foramen and compression of the nerve.