The vertebral column’s most
important job is protecting the spinal cord, which is the main avenue for
communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is
nestled in a cavity, called the vertebral foramen, that is inside the
vertebrae.
Many nerves of the peripheral
nervous system, which transport signals to and from specific parts of the body,
meet the spinal cord at the vertebral column.
Other roles for the vertebrae
include helping support the body’s weight and providing an anchor for the ribs.
There are 26 vertebrae.
Between most are discs of cartilage that help cushion these bones and give them
flexibility.
The vertebrae are divided
into five sections:
- Cervical: The cervical vertebrae are the seven closest to the
skull. The first is known as the atlas because the skull rests on it. The name
comes from the myth of the Greek titan who bore the world on his shoulders. The
second also has a special name: the axis. It has a special shape that allows
the head to turn from side to side.
- Thoracic: The 12 thoracic vertebrae are where the ribs attach to
the spine.
- Lumbar: The five lumbar vertebrae are among the largest and do
much of the work of supporting the body’s weight.
- Sacral: This section has only one bone: the sacrum. Although
considered one bone, it is actually several vertebrae fused together. The
sacrum is part of the pelvis.
- Coccygeal: This section is similar to the sacral. It contains a
single bone, the coccyx (tailbone), that is made up of several fused vertebrae.
Also part of the pelvis, the coccyx is a remnant of an ancient body part: a
tail.
Most vertebrae are identified
by a letter-number combination based on where they are in the spine. The atlas
is also known as C1 because it is the first cervical vertebra; T11 is the 11th
thoracic vertebra. There are seven cervical vertebrae at the top, followed by
11 thoracic vertebrae, five lumbar vertebrae at the lower back, and five fused
vertebrae at the bottom to create the sacrum. The coccyx, or tailbone, is the
lowest bone of the spinal column.
Many of the peripheral nerves
are named after the part of the spine where they join the spinal cord. There
are cervical, thoracic, and lumbar nerves.
