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The spine is part of the skeleton on which the human body rests, including muscles and internal organs. The spine consists of 33-34 vertebrae divided into sections, the beginning of which is just below the skull and the end is marked by the tip of the coccyx. Knowing the anatomy of the spine allows us to take better care of its health and good condition.
What is the spine made of?
The structure of the spine is slightly different from the rest of the human skeleton. The spine is made of bones that are medically called vertebrae. They are the main building blocks of the body axis and differ depending on the section they are in. There are discs between the vertebrae. The discs and vertebrae are connected with each other thanks to ligaments, and the movement of the spine depends on the work of the muscles. The structure of the spine is quite complex and basically everyone’s spine looks a bit different. Diseases that affect this part of the skeleton usually involve discs and joints and are known as degenerations or discopathies.
Structure of the spine – sections
The human spine is divided into 5 sections, that is:
- Cervical section – consists of 7 cervical vertebrae.
- The thoracic section – consists of 12 thoracic vertebrae.
- Lumbar section – consists of 5 lumbar vertebrae.
- Sacral section – consists of 5 interconnected sacral vertebrae.
- The coccygeal section – consists of 4-5 fused cocci.
The muscles of the spine
The muscles of the spine are responsible for moving the torso, arms, legs and head. However, the most significant function of the spine muscles is to stabilize the body and maintain a correct, upright posture. In order for the spine muscles to function properly, their strength should be trained through stretching or balance exercises. The muscles of the spine can be damaged, which is manifested by severe pain. A common case of muscle damage to the spine is tearing, for example, lifting too heavy objects. Pain in the muscles of the spine can also be caused by trigger points, i.e. thickenings, bands or lumps in their structure.
If you feel pain in the spine area or you want to relax your muscles, try Dermaticus Klimuszko monastery lining for the skin in the area of joints and spine.
Spine functions
The spine as the main axis of the human skeleton is primarily defined as the scaffolding for the human body. The vertebrae and discs that make up the spine also protect the nerves running through it and the spinal cord. The spine is also the site of attachment for the muscles that make up the corset of the human body. It’s also worth noting that naturally occurring curves in the spine cushion falls and injuries.
How is the spine examined?
Diagnostics of spine diseases is most often based on imaging tests. Imaging tests can identify the causes of pain and get an accurate picture of the condition of the vertebrae and discs. Magnetic resonance imaging is often used in diagnostics. MRI shows the structure of the spine with discs, nerves and hernias. The doctor often orders patients to take an x-ray of the spine. This photo allows you to look at the structure of the bones of the spine. Much less often, the doctor decides to perform an ultrasound of the spine. Such an examination does not bring much diagnostic value because the ultrasound waves do not pass through the bones. One of the best methods of examining the spine is computed tomography. This examination is also commissioned to those patients who, for example, due to claustrophobia, cannot perform an MRI.
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