An Introduction to the Anatomy of the Spine

An Overview of the Spine

The spine is an amazing, and extremely important feature of the body. To better understand its function and structure, leading spine surgeon in Chennai will break it down into 3 main categories: the spinal column (the bones and discs that provide the base for the spine); the neural components (the spinal cord and nerve roots); and the supporting elements of the backbone (such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments).

Neural Components

The main neural elements of your spine are the spinal cord and nerve roots. Along with the brain, the spinal cord makes up the main part of your body's central nervous system. It consists of 32 pairs of nerves, which run from the base of the brain, down through the center of the spinal column. It continues to run through the cervical and thoracic spine, ending in an array of nerve roots, called the cauda equina (named for its resemblance to a horse's tail). The spinal cord is surrounded by fluid called cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, as well as many layers of protective structures, including the dura mater. The dura mater is the strongest, outermost layer.

The major function of the spinal cord is to carry information from the brain to various body parts and back again. It is the main means of communication between the brain and the body's peripheral nerves. At each space between vertebrae, a pair of nerve roots protrudes from this extensive, thin, tubular bundle of nerves. These nerve roots supply individual parts of the body, such as the arms, hands, chest abdomen, legs, bowels, and bladder.

Supporting Structures

The supporting structures of your backbone include any muscles, tendons, and ligaments attached to the spinal column. These are soft tissues that power your spine, giving it the ability to function in various positions. Ligaments connect the vertebrae to one another in the front of the spine and are what keep it stable. The two most important ligaments run from the skull to the sacrum (in the pelvis) and are called the posterior longitudinal ligament (which connects all the vertebral bodies along the back) and the anterior longitudinal ligament (which is located on the front surfaces of the vertebral bodies).

Muscles also keep the backbone stable. The majority of muscles surrounding the backbone are located on the back of the spine, and are what provide it with power for movement. Muscles are commonly categorized according to their function, using the terms "flexor" or "extensor." The muscles and ligaments in the spine work to hold it upright, and to allow forward bending (flexion) and backward bending (extension), as well as rotation from side to side and combinations of those movements.