Friday March 12, 2010 4:33 pm
The Spine
The spine, also know as the spinal column, the vertebral column and the backbone, is often used to describe the most important part of an entity, and for good reason: it's this S-curved structure around which our ability to walk, run, and sleep is hinged. Our arms, legs, chest, and head all attach to the spine. And the spine affects and is affected by every movement we make. No back problem can be isolated from how the rest of our body functions. Because of this interdependence, only by understanding the whole body and how movements affect the spine can we approach back problems.

Spinal anatomy is truly unique in its form and function. It is designed to be incredibly strong, protecting the highly sensitive nerve roots, yet highly flexible, providing for mobility on many different planes.

Enjoy this very thorough section on the spine.
Articles In This Section:
  • What is The Spine?
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/3/2003
    The spine, also know as the spinal column, the vertebral column and the backbone, is often used to describe the most important part of an entity, and for good reason: it's this S-curved structure around which our ability to walk, run, and sleep is hinged.

  • Blood Supply of the Spine
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/22/2003
    The function of the vascular system is to nourish each cell in the body. This includes the vertebral column, spinal cord, neural elements, muscles, and other related structures.

  • Bones of the Back Region
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/3/2003
    A detailed description of all of the bones involving the spine and associated structures.

  • Free Newsletter
    by Dr. Gary Farr 7/22/2003
    Sign up for our FREE health newsletter from BecomeHealthyNow.com. The Healthy newsletter brings the latest research, news and ideas you can use, fun mini-quizzes and a listing of the live events and happenings on the BecomeHealthyNow sites and communities. You'll always be up to date on current health topics as the BecomeHealthyNow.com web site is continually updated.

  • Functions of the Spine
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/23/2003
    The vertebral column is not actually a column but, rather, a sort of spiral spring in the form of the letter S. The newborn child has a relatively straight backbone. The development of the curvatures occurs as the supporting functions of the vertebral column in man—holding up the trunk, keeping the head erect, serving as an anchor for the extremities—are developed. We discuss the functions of the spine.

  • Health Survey
    by Dr. Gary Farr 7/22/2003
    The health survey finds out about the state of your health. You may discover things about your health you didn't know before. This increased awareness of your health can help you take the appropriate action to improve the state of your body's function.

  • Ligaments of the Spine
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/24/2003
    Ligaments, similar to oversized rubber bands, criss–cross to hold the spinal column together. Ligaments are fibrous and strong tissues that connect bone, cartilage, and other structures supporting the spinal system. There are three major types of ligaments found in the spine.

  • Nutritional Support for the Musculoskeletal System
    by Dr. Gary Farr 7/22/2003
    Many factors contribute to the deterioration of our musculoskeletal system. This system, consisting of many connective tissues such as joints, ligaments, and tendons, is continuously being tested by various factors such as stress, improper diet, and exercise. A healthy musculoskeletal system is important for everyone - the young, the elderly, sports enthusiasts, people constantly on their feet, and people using repetitious movements such as computer keyboarding. Failure to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system and joints can lead to a reduction in overall health and wellbeing. Therefore, supplying your body with the proper nutrients found in Standard Process supplements is vital in keeping your body’s connective tissues healthy.

  • Nutritional Support for the Spine
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/6/2003
    A healthy musculoskeletal system is important for everyone — the young, the elderly, sports enthusiasts, people constantly on their feet, and people using repetitious movements such as computer keyboarding. Failure to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system and joints can lead to a reduction in overall health and well-being. Therefore, supplying your body with the proper nutrients found in Standard Process supplements if vital in keeping your body's connective tissues healthy.

  • Spinal Muscles
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/24/2003
    Spinal muscles are named according to their shape, location, or a combination. They are further categorized according function such as flexion, extension, or rotation. Muscles and ligaments work together to support the spine, hold it upright, and control movement during rest and activity.

  • The Cervical Spine
    by Dr. Gary Farr 7/22/2003
    The neck is the most flexible part of the spine, balances and supports the head, which weighs twelve to fifteen pounds. The neck never gets a rest.

  • The Coccyx or Tail Bone
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/24/2003
    The coccyx, also called the tailbone, is a curved, semiflexible lower end of the backbone (vertebral column) in apes and humans, representing a vestigial tail. It is composed of three to five successively smaller caudal (coccygeal) vertebrae.

  • The Lumbar Spine
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/24/2003
    Lumbar pertains to the loins, and these five lumbar vertebrae are the most substantial in the spinal cavity. L1-L5 (lumbar vertebrae): The symbols L1 through L5 represent the five lumbar vertebrae. The lumbar vertebrae are situated between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacral vertebrae in the spinal column.

  • The Pelvis or Pelvic Girdle
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/22/2003
    The pelvis or pelvic girdle is a basin-shaped complex of bones that connects the trunk and legs, supports and balances the trunk, and contains and supports the intestines, urinary bladder, and internal sex organs.

  • The Sacral Spine
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/22/2003
    The five sacral vertebrae are fused to form the sacrum, and the four coccygeal vertebrae are fused to form the coccyx.

  • The Spinal Cord & Nerve Roots
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/23/2003
    The spinal cord comes off the base of the brain, runs throughout the cervical and thoracic spine, and ends at the lower part of the thoracic spine. Therefore, spinal cord damage may accompany trauma or diseases of the cervical or thoracic spine.

  • The Spinal Disc
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/22/2003
    There are 23 intervertebral (inter = between, vertebral = of a vertebra), disks, one found between each pair of vertebrae below the first cervical, or neck (atlas), and above the second sacral (just above the tailbone).

  • The Thoracic Spine
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/22/2003
    The thoracic spine, guarded by the rib cage and the sacrum, is not as mobile as the other parts of the back. Keep in mind that your spinal column supports the head and allows the entire torso to bend and twist. The spinal column also protects the spinal cord, which houses a bundle of nerves, or ganglia, that connect our brain to our body. The interdependent relationship between the spinal column and the spinal cord is a wondrous, complex marvel that few of us ever think about.

  • The Vertebrae
    by Dr. Gary Farr 8/24/2003
    Remember Anatomy 101, the white bony structure dangling in the lab, and the professor's lecture on the spinal column? If you went to sleep because it was too complex, we're here to make it easier for you. While you snored through it, the professor probed the odd-shaped bones with a pointer, explaining that the spine was an interlocking structure of peculiar-looking bones called vertebrae. We discuss them again. Hopefully you won't go to sleep.

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