The Spinal Column
The spinal column consists of 24 separate bones, called vertebrae, plus the
fused bones of the sacrum and the coccyx. Your spinal column is the central
support for the upper body, carrying most of the weight of your head, chest, and
arms. Together with the muscles and ligaments of your back, your spinal column
enables you to walk upright.
The cervical region has seven vertebrae (C1 through C7), the thoracic region has 12 vertebrae (T1 through T12) and the lumbar region has five vertebrae (L1 through L5). The sacral region consists of five vertebrae, all fused together to form one continuous bone mass known as the sacrum. The coccygeal region consists of four vertebrae, all fused together to form the coccyx or tailbone.
The Cervical Vertebrae
The vertebrae in the cervical (or upper back) portion of your spine carry the
weight of your head. The pressure from this weight along with the "wear and
tear" associated with the constant turning and bending of your head and neck is
what usually leads to problems associated with the cervical vertebrae.
The Lumbar Vertebrae
The vertebrae in the lumbar (or lower back) portion of your spine are under
constant pressure from the weight of your upper body, even when you are simply
sitting in a chair. The "wear and tear" of this pressure is what usually leads
to problems associated with the lower back.
The Intervertebral Discs
The intervertebral discs are composed of a fiber-like outer lining (the annulus)
and a gelatin-like inner core (the nucleus). These discs act as the spine's
"shock absorbers," preventing vertebra from rubbing against one another and
providing much of the flexibility found in your spine. Because they are under
constant pressure, it is the intervertebral discs which first show signs of the
"wear and tear" associated with the aging process.
The Spinal Nerves
Running through the center of the spinal column is the spinal cord, which ends
in the lumbar spine in a bundle of nerves called the cauda equina. At each disc
level, a pair of spinal nerve roots branch off from the spinal cord or cauda
equina and pass through an opening called the foramen.
The Growth of
Bone Spurs
As your spine ages, the gelatin-like centers of your discs begin to dry out,
thereby reducing their effectiveness as "shock absorbers." As this protection is
lost, the simple "wear and tear" of everyday activity can cause the bone matter
of your vertebrae to develop jagged edges, called bone spurs. As these spurs
develop and extend outward, they can cause both the spinal canal and the foramen
to become narrowed. The result is often the pinching (compression) of the spinal
cord and/or a spinal nerve root.
The "Slowly Closing Window"
As discs dry out, your vertebrae begin to "settle." This "settling" causes the
window-like openings of the foramen and the spinal canal to become smaller and
smaller. Eventually, these openings can become so small that a spinal nerve(s)
becomes "pinched" against a vertebra. It's similar to slowly closing a window on
your hand. There will be a point at which you begin to feel the pressure. The
more the window is closed, the greater the pressure and the greater the pain.
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© 2008 Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates - UPMC
Last Updated: January 1, 2008