Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacrum, Coccyx

Neck

Chest

Low Back

Pelvis

Tailbone

1. protection
2. base for attachment
3. structural support
4. flexibility/mobility

viewed from the side, there are four slight bends of the vertebral column

• kyphosis
• lordosis
• scoliosis

an increase in the lumbar curve of the bertebral column; may result from increased weight of the abdomen as in pregnancy or extreme obesity, poorposture, rickets, osteoporosis, or tuberculosis of the spine

most common; lateral bending of vertebral collumn, usually in thoracic region; may result from congenitally malformed vertebrae, paralysis of muscles on one side of the bertebral column, poor posture, or one shorter leg

• Spina bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. The term spina bifida comes from Latin and literally means "split" or "open" spine
• Spina bifida occurs at the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo's spine fail to join together, leaving an open area. In some cases, the spinal cord or other membranes may push through this opening in the back. The condition usually is detected before a baby is born and treated right away.
• causes are largely unknown

• account for about 25% of the height of the vertebral column
• found between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae from the second cervical vertebra to the sacrum
• avascular
• each disc has an outer fibrous ring and an inner soft, pulpy, highly elastic substance called the nucleus pulposus
• discs form strong joints, permit various movements of the vertebral column, and absorb vertical shock
• under compression, they flatten and broaden