The Vertebrate Anatomy
Vertebral Column About 70 cm long in adult 5 major divisions (cervival, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx)
Intervertebral Discs Act as shock absorbers Allow spine to flex and extend 25% of spine
Disc Damage Herniated disc Rupture of annulus fibrosus Protrusion of spongy nucleus pulposus Treatment: moderate exercise, massage, heat therapy, painkillers, removal
Cervical Vertebrate Seven (C1-C7) C3-C7 have same characteristics C1-C2 special
Thoracic Vertebrate 12 of them T1-T12 Body is heart shaped
Lumbar Vertebrate Receives the most stress L1-L5
Secrum S1-S5
Coccyx Tailbone Useless bone (slight support of pelvic organs)
Vertebral Column Scoliosis Kyphosis Lordosis Curvature in thoracic region Kyphosis Hunchback Lordosis Swayback, in order to keep balance bend back backwards