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 The adult vertebral (spinal) column consists of 26 bones that are grouped as follows: 7 cervical vertebrae in the neck 12 thoracic vertebrae that articulate with the 12 pairs of ribs 5 lumbar vertebrae of the lower back 1 sacrum which is actually a fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae (fusion occurs from late teens to early 20's) 1 coccyx or "tailbone" which is a fusion of 4 coccygeal vertebrae Intervertebral discs are located between adjacent vertebrae. These fibrocartilage discs form strong joints and absorb spinal compression shock. Various spinal disorders include: Herniated (slipped) disc - protrusion or rupture of an intervertebral disc Scoliosis - exaggerated lateral bending of spinal column Kyphosis - "hunchback" exaggerated thoracic curvature Lordosis - "swayback" exaggerated lumbar curvature Spina bifida - congenital defect with incomplete closure of the vertebral column Epidural anesthesia, often used in obstetrics, is injected into the sacrum at the sacral hiatus. In a lumbar puncture ("spinal tap), spinal fluid is removed using a long needle inserted between L3-L4 or L4-L5. |
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