Spinal anatomy
Updates to Article Attributes
Spinal anatomy encompasses the anatomy of all osseous and soft-tissue structures of the spine and its immediate surroundings. However, the structures related to the spinal cord are covered in our neuroanatomy section.
Overview
The spine is located in the midline posteriorly, extending from the base of the skull to natal cleft, supporting the head, shoulder girdle, rib cage, and attaching to the pelvis.
It is composed of 24 vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs, with additional sacral and coccygeal segments which are usually, but variably, fused. The vertebrae are grouped together into groups based on similar osteology and regional relations; cervical spine (7 vertebrae), thoracic spine (12 vertebrae) and lumbar spine (5 vertebrae). The sacrum has five fused vertebral segments, and the coccyx has a further 3 to 5 vertebral segments.
-<p><strong>Spinal anatomy</strong> encompasses the <a href="/articles/radiological-anatomy">anatomy</a> of all osseous and soft-tissue structures of the spine and its immediate surroundings. However, the structures related to the spinal cord are covered in our <a href="/articles/neuroanatomy">neuroanatomy section</a>.</p><h4>Overview</h4><p>The spine is located in the midline posteriorly, extending from the base of the skull to natal cleft, supporting the head, shoulder girdle, rib cage, and attaching to the pelvis. </p><p>It is composed of 24 <a title="vertebra" href="/articles/vertebra">vertebrae</a> separated by <a title="Intervertebral disc" href="/articles/intervertebral-disc">intervertebral discs</a>, with additional sacral and coccygeal segments which are usually, but variably, fused. The vertebrae are grouped together into groups based on similar osteology and regional relations; <a title="Cervical spine" href="/articles/cervical-spine">cervical spine</a> (7 vertebrae), <a title="Thoracic spine" href="/articles/thoracic-spine">thoracic spine</a> (12 vertebrae) and <a title="lumbar spine" href="/articles/lumbar-spine">lumbar spine</a> (5 vertebrae). The <a title="Sacrum" href="/articles/sacrum">sacrum</a> has five fused vertebral segments, and the <a title="Coccyx" href="/articles/coccyx">coccyx</a> has a further 3 to 5 vertebral segments. </p>- +<p><strong>Spinal anatomy</strong> encompasses the <a href="/articles/radiological-anatomy">anatomy</a> of all osseous and soft-tissue structures of the spine and its immediate surroundings. However, the structures related to the spinal cord are covered in our <a href="/articles/neuroanatomy">neuroanatomy section</a>.</p><h4>Overview</h4><p>The spine is located in the midline posteriorly, extending from the base of the skull to natal cleft, supporting the head, shoulder girdle, rib cage, and attaching to the pelvis. </p><p>It is composed of 24 <a href="/articles/vertebra">vertebrae</a> separated by <a href="/articles/intervertebral-disc">intervertebral discs</a>, with additional sacral and coccygeal segments which are usually, but variably, fused. The vertebrae are grouped together into groups based on similar osteology and regional relations; <a href="/articles/cervical-spine">cervical spine</a> (7 vertebrae), <a href="/articles/thoracic-spine">thoracic spine</a> (12 vertebrae) and <a href="/articles/lumbar-spine">lumbar spine</a> (5 vertebrae). The <a href="/articles/sacrum">sacrum</a> has five fused vertebral segments, and the <a href="/articles/coccyx">coccyx</a> has a further 3 to 5 vertebral segments. </p>
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