The normal anatomy of the spine is usually described by
dividing up the spine into 3 major sections: the cervical, the
thoracic, and the lumbar spine. (Below the lumbar spine is a bone
called the sacrum, which is part of the pelvis). Each section is made up
of individual bones called vertebrae. There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12
thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae.
An individual vertebra is made up of several parts. The body of the
vertebra is the primary area of weight bearing and provides a resting place for
the fibrous discs which separate each of the vertebrae. The lamina covers
the spinal canal, the large hole in the center of the vertebra through
which the spinal nerves pass. The spinous process is the bone you can
feel when running your hands down your back. The paired transverse processes
are oriented 90 degrees to the spinous process and provide attachment for back
muscles.
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