Spinal anatomy
Updates to Article Attributes
Spinal anatomy encompasses the anatomy of all osseous and soft tissue structures of the spine, the spinal cord and its supporting structures.
This anatomy section promotes the use of the Terminologia Anatomica, the globalinternational standard for correct grossof anatomical nomenclature.
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.
The spinal cord descends in the vertebrae within the spinal canal.
-<p><strong>Spinal anatomy</strong> encompasses the <a href="/articles/radiological-anatomy">anatomy</a> of all osseous and soft tissue structures of the spine, the <a href="/articles/spinal-cord">spinal cord</a> and its supporting structures.</p><p>This anatomy section promotes the use of the <a href="/articles/terminologia-anatomica-1">Terminologia Anatomica</a>, the global standard for correct gross anatomical nomenclature. </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><p>The spinal cord descends in the vertebrae within the <a href="/articles/spinal-canal">spinal canal</a>.</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, the <a href="/articles/spinal-cord">spinal cord</a> and its supporting structures.</p><p>This anatomy section promotes the use of the <a href="/articles/terminologia-anatomica-1">Terminologia Anatomica</a>, the international standard of anatomical nomenclature. </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><p>The spinal cord descends in the vertebrae within the <a href="/articles/spinal-canal">spinal canal</a>.</p>
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