What structures make up the back?
The lower back—where most back pain occurs—includes the five
vertebrae (referred to as L1-L5) in the lumbar region, which supports
much of the weight of the upper body. The spaces between the vertebrae
are maintained by round, rubbery pads called intervertebral discs that
act like shock absorbers throughout the spinal column to cushion the
bones as the body moves. Bands of tissue known as ligaments hold the
vertebrae in place, and tendons attach the muscles to the spinal column.
Thirty-one pairs of nerves are rooted to the spinal cord and they
control body movements and transmit signals from the body to the brain.
Other regions of vertebrate are cervical (in the neck), thoracic
(upper back), and sacral and coccygeal (below the lumbar area) segments. |