The spine plays a critical role in the human body and has three basic functions:
- Support the head and upper extremities while allowing for freedom of movement
- Provide attachment(s) for various muscles, ribs, and visceral (organ) structures
- Protect the spinal cord and allow for the passage of the spinal nerves
The spine, which can also be referred to as the spinal column or vertebral column, is composed of thirty-three (33) individual bones, or vertebrae:
- Seven (7) cervical vertebrae [C1-C7] that make up the neck
- Twelve (12) thoracic vertebrae [T1-T12] that made up the middle to upper back
- Five (5) lumbar vertebrae [L1-L5] that make up the low back
- Nine (9) vertebrae that make up the sacrum (5) and coccyx (4)
If you ever forget this, think about popular meal times:
- Breakfast is eaten at 7AM, to represent seven (7) cervical vertebrae
- Lunch is eaten at 12PM, to represent twelve (12) thoracic vertebrae
- Dinner is eaten at 5PM, to represent five (5) lumbar vertebrae
- A snack before bed is eaten at 9PM, to represent nine (9) vertebrae that make up the sacrum and coccyx
- 7 + 12 + 5 + 9 = 33 individual vertebrae
*A side note: By adulthood, five (5) vertebrae fuse into one (1) to form the sacrum, and four (4) vertebrae fuse into one (1) to form the coccyx. Therefore, it can be said that the adult spine is comprised of twenty-six (26) moveable parts*
This information is not completely necessary to know, although it is certainly helpful. Plus, the next time you are speaking to a doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, etc., and they are using the terms “cervical”, “thoracic”, “lumbar”, “C2”, “T4”, “L2-L5”, etc., you will know what they are talking about and be in a position to digest that information properly.
Want to learn more about the spine? Click here!
