Bones, Discs, and Nerves: The Anatomy of the Human Spine

Last updated 3 months ago

The spine is one of the most fascinating structures in the human body. It serves many functions vital to your health such as supporting the weight of your body, serving as an expressway for messages to travel through your nervous system, and allowing the body to move freely in all directions. Each element of the spine works together to carry out these tasks, so even the most minor injuries or inflammation can cause a wide range of symptoms. Here are the basic components of the spine that may be the root of your back pain or soreness:

Bones: The skeletal portion of the spine is made up of vertebrae, or small round bones that stack on top of each other. In order to carry the weight of the human body, the vertebrae are stacked in such a way that four curves are present in the spine. These help to promote balance while reducing impact from stress.
Discs: Vertebral discs separate each of the 24 vertebrae. These are soft and spongy fluid-filled structures that absorb shock and help the spine bend when the body moves. Problems commonly occur with the discs as the body ages, because they lose water content. In their weakened state, they may be flattened or forced to bulge outwards.
Joints: The bones are connected through facet joints that connect between and behind the vertebrae. They provide stability and the ability to twist around.
Nerves: One essential function of the spine is to protect the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain down to the mid-back where the thoracic spine ends. These nerves control some of the body’s most basic movements. The lower back houses various nerve roots that branch out from the spinal cord.

To better understand the structure of your spine, schedule a consultation with Peterson Chiropractic in New York City by calling (866) 245-3085. We can help reduce your pain or discomfort with a total body approach to healing using chiropractic manipulation, adjustments, and massage.