The spine

Our spine fulfils a central task in the skeleton: it supports the head, shoulders, arms and chest and transfers their weight to the pelvis and legs. So that the spine can fulfil this important static function and still remain sufficiently flexible, it consists of more than 30 different bone segments, the vertebral bodies.

The first 24 vertebrae are flexible (seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, five lumbar vertebrae) and following these are five fused vertebrae in the sacrum. At the lower end, there are another three to five fused, partially flexible vertebrae in the coccyx.

Cervical spine

Although the vertebrae of the cervical spine are relatively small, they bear the quite heavy weight of the head. The first two cervical vertebrae, which lie directly beneath the cranium, are different in structure to the rest of the vertebrae. The first cervical vertebra, the atlas, has no solid vertebral body. Put simply, it consists of just a bony ring. The cranial articular surfaces connect this first cervical vertebra, and thereby also the entire spine, to the cranial bone.

Thoracic spine

The thoracic spine sits between the cervical spine and the lumbar spine. The ribs are attached to the thoracic vertebral bodies. The 12 thoracic vertebrae are robust since they form the basis for the attachment of the individual ribs and thereby for the entire chest. Each rib is connected to a thoracic vertebra via a small joint. The ribs move in the rib joints, for example, for each respiratory movement of the chest.

Lumbar spine

The greatest load transmission takes place in the lumbar spine. For this reason, it contains the largest vertebral bodies. The body of the spine is curved and the individual articular surfaces of the small vertebral joints are perpendicular to each other. This position makes it possible to bend and stretch well.

Vertebral discs

So that the individual vertebral bodies can create the unit of the spine, they must be stable and flexibly connected to each other. One connection that corresponds to these complex requirements consists of several components. Small vertebral joints between two adjoining vertebrae connect these with joints to each other. Vertebral discs, ligaments and muscles give the spine support, stability and facilitate movement. In many cases, atrophied, neglected and/or tense muscles are the cause of back pain which often remains unnoticed. With the exception of the first and second cervical vertebrae and the sacral and coccyx vertebrae, which are partially fused together, two adjoining vertebrae are always connected to each other by a vertebral disc. In each case this lies between the two vertebral bodies. The vertebral discs themselves consist of connective tissue with a relatively solid, outer elastic ring and a soft, inner core. The task of the vertebral discs is to cushion shocks and provide a flexible connection for the individual vertebrae with each other. Vertebral discs must regularly absorb liquid so that they retain their elasticity. They can only do this, however, if a person moves. The vertebral disc will then be stressed and also relaxed again. This is how liquid reaches the vertebral disc. In the absence of liquid, it becomes brittle and cracked. In the event of overloading, the vertebral disc is constantly under too much pressure. The result is the same as when the vertebral disc has inadequate liquid.

The spine is therefore a complicated and also sensitive organ. We know today that back pain can not only be triggered by the aforementioned organs but also by excessive mental demands. All areas can lead to discomfort as a result of various stresses. These facts make it all the more clearer that proper support for the spine when sitting in the office or at home and even when lying down can contribute significantly to reducing back pain. Of course, great care should also be taken when you bend or lift or carry objects.

The spine

Cervical spine

Thoracic spine

Lumbar spine

Sacrum and coccyx

Vertebral discs