Sections of the human spine: table, structural features of the spinal column

The spine is the axial skeleton of the human skeleton. This bone structure is shaped like the letter S. Thanks to physiological curves, the spinal column is more elastic, this allows it to soften shocks and vibrations during movement, and maintain stable balance of the body.

The sections of the spine consist of a different number of vertebrae and perform important functions. Ligaments and muscles support the vertebrae, allow rotation and bending of the torso, and also limit movements that could damage this bone structure. Every person should understand what structure the spine has and how it functions in order to notice problems in time due to injuries, diseases or natural changes in the body.

General information about the structure of the spine

The spine is a long column curved in several places; it consists of 32 - 34 interconnected small bones called vertebrae. The elements of the spine are connected to each other. Between the vertebral bodies there are intervertebral discs that connect them. In appearance, it is a round flat pad made of connective tissue, which has a complex structure. Discs also play a big role in shock absorption of the spine, softening shocks during walking, running, and jumping.

The structure of the spinal column

To further stabilize the spine, its elements are connected by ligaments. These are dense connective tissue cords that fix the bones in the correct position and relieve some of the load from the spine. Tendons are the final structure of muscles by which they are attached to bones. Facet joints, located between adjacent vertebrae, connect them to each other. These bony connections provide movement in the intervertebral space.

Inside each vertebra there are holes that are located one above the other. They are called the spinal canal, in which the spinal cord lies. This is an organ of the central nervous system, in the gray matter of which a large number of bundles of neurons are located. They are the ones who send and receive signals from the brain to various organs. The spinal cord is divided into 31 segments, from which the same number of nerve roots emerge. Nerve branches exit the cavity of the spinal canal through the foraminal openings (the lumen that forms the vertebral body, its arch, and the pedicles of the arch).

Some people don't know how many sections there really are in the human spine. There are 5 segments:

Cervical.
Chest.
Lumbar.
Sacral.
Coccygeal

All parts of the human spine consist of a certain number of elements.

Table of the structure of spinal segments:

Spinal segment	Number of vertebrae
Cervical	7 vertebrae (C1 – C7)
Chest	12 bone elements (Th1 – Th12)
Lumbar	5 dice (L1 – L5)
Sacral	5 elements (S1 – S5)
Coccygeal	From 3 to 5 vertebrae (Co1 – Co5)

Reference. In adults, the coccygeal vertebrae fuse into a single bone structure.

To better understand how the spine is structured, you need to consider the structural features of its different sections.

As already mentioned, the spinal column has a curved shape in several places. If you look at it from the side, it resembles the letter S. These physiological curves are called lordosis (bending forward) and kyphosis (bending backward). Lordosis is observed in all people in the cervical and lumbar segments. Kyphosis forms in the chest and sacrum area.

With the help of these bends, a person is able to maintain balance when walking upright. During dynamic, sudden movements, they spring, softening vibrations.

The spinal column performs the most important functions: it supports the head, as well as the body in a vertical position, and is a support for other bone structures. In addition, the spine protects the spinal cord from damage.

Parts of the spinal column in humans

The spinal column consists of five sections. How the sections of the spine are located can be seen in the figure.

Cervical (cervical) region

Includes seven vertebrae. Its shape resembles the letter “C” with a convex forward curve, which is called cervical lordosis. This kind of lordosis also exists in the lumbar region.

Each vertebra has its own name. In the cervical region they are given the names C1-C7 after the first letter of the Latin name for this region.

The vertebrae C1 and C2 deserve special attention - the atlas and epistropheus (or axis), respectively. Their peculiarity is their structure, which is different from other vertebrae. The atlas consists of two arches connected by lateral thickenings of the bone. It rotates around the odontoid process, located in the anterior part of the epistrophe. Thanks to this, a person can make various head movements.

Thoracic (thoracic) department

The least mobile part of the spine. It consists of 12 vertebrae, which are assigned numbers from T1 to T12. Sometimes they are designated by the letters Th or D.

The thoracic vertebrae are arranged in a C-shape, convex backwards. This physiological curvature of the spine is called “kyphosis”.

This part of the spine is involved in the formation of the posterior wall of the chest. The ribs are attached to the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae using joints, and in the anterior part they are attached to the sternum, forming a rigid frame.

Lumbar

Has a slight forward bend. Performs a connecting function between the thoracic region and the sacrum. The vertebrae in this section are the largest because they experience greater stress due to pressure exerted by the upper body.

Normally, the lumbar region consists of 5 vertebrae. These vertebrae are named L1-L5.

But there are two types of abnormal development of the lumbar region

The phenomenon when the first sacral vertebra separates from the sacrum and takes the form of a lumbar vertebra is called lumbarization . In this case, there are 6 vertebrae in the lumbar region.
There is also such an anomaly as sacralization , when the fifth lumbar vertebra is similar in shape to the first sacral and partially or completely fuses with the sacrum, while only four vertebrae remain in the lumbar region. In such a situation, the mobility of the spine in the lumbar region suffers, and increased loads are placed on the vertebrae, intervertebral discs and joints, which contributes to their rapid wear.

Sacrum (sacrum)

Supports the upper spine. It consists of 5 fused vertebrae S1-S5, which have one common name - the sacrum. The sacrum is motionless, its vertebral bodies are more pronounced than the others, and its processes are less pronounced. The power and size of the vertebrae decreases from the first to the fifth.

The shape of the sacral region is similar to a triangle. Located at the base of the spine, the sacrum, like a wedge, connects it to the bones of the pelvis.

Coccygeal region (tailbone)

Fused bone of 4-5 vertebrae (Co1-Co5). The peculiarity of the coccyx vertebrae is that they do not have lateral processes. In the female skeleton, the vertebrae have some mobility, which facilitates the process of childbirth.

The shape of the coccyx resembles a pyramid, with the base turned upward. In fact, the coccyx is a remnant of the tail that disappeared during the process of evolution.

Anatomy of the cervical spine

The spinal segment is the initial section of the spinal column. As already mentioned, the number of vertebrae of which it consists is seven. They have the following medical designation - from C1 to C7. In this area there is a bend that is directed forward. The mobility of this section is the highest, thanks to which people can move their neck in different directions, tilt it, and turn it.

Inside the transverse processes of the vertebrae of the neck there are openings in which the vertebral arteries are located. They transport blood to the brain. When vertebrae are displaced, protrusions or hernias form in this area, the blood supply to the brain is disrupted due to compression of the vertebral artery. Then the following symptoms occur: headache, vertigo (dizzy), visual disturbances, impaired coordination of movements, speech. This is how vertebrobasilar syndrome manifests itself.

The cervical spine begins from the atlas and axis. The structure of the upper vertebrae is different. The first consists of an anterior and posterior arch, which are connected on the sides by bone thickenings, while the vertebral body is absent. The second has a tooth (process) in front, which is attached by ligaments to the vertebral canal of the atlas. Thanks to this structure, a person can rotate his head in different directions.

The cervical segment is considered the most vulnerable to traumatic effects, unlike other structures of the spine. This is due to the weakness of the neck muscles, the small size of the bones, and their low strength.

Most often, the cervical segment is damaged by a direct blow with a blunt object, excessive flexion or extension of the neck (during an accident or diving). With such injuries, the spinal cord can be damaged, and this can lead to dangerous complications, including death.

Possible diseases

The spine of a modern person is subject to a number of unfavorable factors that provoke the development of a variety of diseases. This is a sedentary lifestyle, constant stay in an uncomfortable position, poor nutrition, deficiency of calcium and other nutrients. As a result, the following pathologies may appear:

Ankylosing spondylitis. It provokes the covering of bone tissue with calcium growths, which limits its movement and leads to disability. It occurs more often in men, but it is also diagnosed in women.
Intervertebral hernia. One of the most common pathologies of the spinal column. It is provoked by obesity, lack of moderate physical activity or excessive sports training. Leads to loss of the nucleus from the annulus fibrosus. It can be treated traditionally or surgically.
Oncology education. It is a dangerous pathology that is becoming more common in the modern world. Appears in different departments and without surgery poses a serious threat to life and health.
Osteochondrosis. It occurs in almost every modern person in the initial stage. It can develop unnoticed for a long time and provoke the development of serious complications. It manifests itself as back pain, poor posture or loss of sensitivity in a certain area.
Osteoporosis. The gradual leaching of calcium from bones makes them brittle and brittle. In later stages, it occurs mainly in older people. Manifested by problems with teeth or nails. It is treated with specific exercises and vitamin complexes.

You can prevent the occurrence of any types of spinal diseases by taking good care of your health. To do this, people at any age are recommended to play sports, or at least do simple exercises every day in the form of exercises. And it is also important to remember about the correct position of the back during work, high-quality nutrition, taking vitamin complexes, monitoring normal body weight, and avoiding excessive physical activity.

The spine is a support for the whole body; it is a complex structure that is subject to daily stress and negative factors. It is divided conditionally into several departments, which are assigned certain functions by nature. They differ from each other in the structure of their vertebrae.

Thoracic region

Not everyone knows how many vertebrae there are in the thoracic area. Their number is 12, they are designated as follows - Th1 - Th12, T1 - T12 or D1 - D12. It has a physiological bend directed backwards.

The thoracic segment is an integral part of the posterior wall of the chest. The bodies and transverse processes of the vertebrae are attached to the ribs by joints. From the spine, the ribs extend to the sternum, this is how the rib cage is formed.

The thoracic segment is the least mobile. This is explained by the fact that its vertebrae are connected by discs, the height of which is minimal. In addition, its motor activity is limited to the spinous processes of the vertebrae and the chest.

Reference. The cavity in the spinal column of the thoracic segment is quite narrow. This leads to the fact that when even small hernias, tumors or bone growths appear, the nerve bundles and spinal cord are damaged.

Physiological curves of the spine

If you look from the side at the structure of the spinal column, you can see that the vertebrae are not located on top of each other, but form physiological curves of the spine :

the spine in the cervical region bends forward, forming cervical lordosis;
the spine in the thoracic region bends backward, forming thoracic kyphosis;
the spine in the lumbar region bends forward, forming lumbar lordosis;
The spine in the sacrum area bends backward, forming sacral kyphosis.

For the spine, the listed bends are a spring-loaded shock-absorbing device that softens shocks and protects the brain from all kinds of damage during physical activity (during walking, jumping and running).

Lumbar segment

The largest vertebrae are located in the lumbar region.

Reference. Normally, the lumbar segment of the spinal column contains 5 vertebrae. However, this section may differ in the number of vertebrae in different people. We are talking about a congenital pathology called lumbarization. Then, in the lumbar region during intrauterine development, an additional vertebra (L6) is formed, which appears from the first sacral one. This bony element is partially or completely separated from the sacrum.

In a healthy person, there is a bend in the lower back directed forward (as is cervical lordosis).

The lumbar segment connects the sedentary thoracic and immobile sacral regions. This area of the spine is subject to enormous stress, as the entire body presses on it. When a person lifts or carries heavy objects, the pressure on the lower back increases even more. For this reason, the cartilage pad in this area wears out faster. Under pressure from the vertebrae, cracks appear on the surface of the disc, which increases the risk of rupture of the outer shell and loss of the nucleus pulposus. This is how a disc herniation occurs, which can compress nerve branches, causing pain and neurological disorders (numbness of the buttocks, groin, legs).

Vertebral structure

The vertebrae are the connecting elements of the spine. The anterior thickened part of the cylindrical bone is called the vertebral body. It is this part that bears the main load. On the back of the vertebral body there is an arch with processes. Between the bodies and arches there is the spinal canal, which is the receptacle of the spinal cord, blood vessels, nerve bundles, and fatty tissue.

Vertebral structure

In addition, the posterior longitudinal and yellow ligaments are located inside the spinal canal. The first fixes the vertebral bodies, and the second fixes the arches.

The spinal canal contains the longitudinal and yellow ligaments

When degenerative changes in the cartilage pads and joints of the vertebrae become unstable, the ligaments in the spinal canal thicken to hold them in place. When the spinal canal is narrowed, even small formations cause compression of the spinal cord.

Reference. MRI can help identify narrowing of the spinal canal in the early stages. To expand the lumen of the spinal column, spinal decompression is performed.

From the vertebral arch there are 2 transverse and 4 articular processes (upper and lower), as well as one spinous one. Ligaments and muscles are attached to the spinous and transverse processes, and the articular ones form arcuate (facet) connections. The arch is fixed on the vertebra by legs.

Nerves and vessels of the spinal cord exit through the foramen

The arch processes facing each other form facet joints. Between the bones there is cartilage, which reduces friction. The ends of the processes are enclosed in an articular capsule, which produces articular fluid, which is responsible for the sliding of bone surfaces. Facet joints provide additional flexibility to the spine.

The pedicles, bodies and articular processes of adjacent vertebrae form the foraminal opening. It is through them that the nerve processes and vessels of the spinal cord gain access to the periphery.

The vertebrae are covered on the outside with a dense cortical layer, and on the inside they are filled with loose tissue, which is filled with bone marrow, which performs a hematopoietic function.

Structure and functions of the vertebrae

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Vertebrae are the constituent elements of the spinal column. Each vertebra consists of a kidney-shaped or round body, as well as an arch that closes the vertebral foramen. Articular processes extend from the arch, intended for articulation with the underlying and overlying vertebrae.

The vertebra consists of a compact external and internal spongy substance . The spongy substance, shaped like bone bars, is responsible for maintaining strength.

The outer compact substance consists of bone tissue, which provides hardness to the outer layer and allows the vertebral body to withstand various loads (for example, compression during walking). In addition to the bone trabeculae, inside the vertebra there is red bone marrow, which is responsible for the function of hematopoiesis.

The shapes of the vertebral bodies and processes differ depending on which part of the back they are located . The lumbar vertebrae are more massive than the cervical vertebrae (the latter have smaller bodies and less developed processes). This is due to the fact that the lower back bears a greater load than the neck, which bears only the weight of the head.

The individual elements of the vertebra perform the following functions:

vertebral bodies are responsible for maintaining the weight of the human body;
cartilaginous intervertebral discs are necessary to protect the vertebrae from excessive pressure;
arches protect the spinal cord;
The transverse and spinous processes are levers for muscle fibers and provide attachment for ligaments.

Intervertebral disc structure

The anatomy of intervertebral discs is quite complex. It looks like a round gasket that connects 2 adjacent vertebrae. The outside of the disc is covered with a fibrous ring, inside of which there is an elastic nucleus pulposus. The outer shell holds the nucleus pulposus and does not allow the vertebrae to move. And the inner part serves as an additional shock absorber.

Intervertebral disc

The cartilage lining of an adult human lacks blood vessels, so it absorbs nutrients from the blood vessels of nearby vertebrae.

Reference. Most medications do not reach the intervertebral disc. To restore its structure, laser thermodisplasty is performed.

In a healthy person, the annulus fibrosus disc consists of strong fibers. However, there are cases when, under the influence of negative factors, the tissue of the outer shell is replaced by useless scar tissue. Then the likelihood of violating the integrity of the fibrous membrane increases.

The structure of the human spine, numbering of discs, vertebrae, PDS

Intervertebral discs

The discs consist of an annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. The intervertebral discs are separated from the bone tissue of the vertebral bodies by thin hyaline cartilage. Together with ligaments, intervertebral discs connect the spine into a single whole. Together they make up 1/4 of the height of the entire spinal column.

Their main functions are support and shock-absorbing. As the spine moves, the discs change their shape under pressure from the vertebrae, allowing the vertebrae to safely move closer or further apart. This is how intervertebral discs absorb shocks and shocks that occur not only in the spine, but also in the spinal cord and brain.

The height of the intervertebral discs is 7-10 mm with an average diameter of 4 cm.

in the cervical region it reaches 5-6 mm,
in the chest – 3-5 mm,
and in the lumbar – 10 mm.

As mentioned at the beginning, there are 23 intervertebral discs in the body. They connect each vertebra with each other, except for the first two cervical spines (atlas and epistrophea), the fused vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx.

This means that the first vertebral disc is located between the second and third cervical vertebrae, and the last one is between the fifth lumbar and first sacral.

Spinal motion segments

Since diseases in the spine can affect not only bone structures - vertebrae, but also intervertebral discs, vessels, ligaments, nerve roots extending from the spinal cord through the intervertebral (foraminal) foramina, paravertebral muscles, specialists and patients need to clearly describe the localization of the pathology spinal structures, introduce such a concept as the spinal motion segment (SMS).

The spinal motion segment includes 2 adjacent vertebrae and 1 intervertebral disc located between them.

7 cervical;
12 breast;
5 lumbar.

How is the numbering done?

The numbering of the spinal motion segments and, accordingly, the intervertebral discs included in them, begins from the highest point of the cervical spine and ends at the border of the transition of the lumbar to the sacral.

The designation of spinal motion segments is formed from the names of adjacent vertebrae that make up a given segment. First, the upper vertebra is indicated, then the number of the lower vertebra is written through a hyphen.

the spinal motion segment, including the first and second cervical vertebrae, is designated as C1-C2,
the spinal motion segment, including the third and fourth thoracic vertebrae, is designated as T3-T4 (Th3-Th4 or D3-D4),
the lowest spinal motion segment, including the fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebrae, is designated L5-S1.

Thus, in order to indicate the localization of the pathological process developing in the spine, be it osteochondrosis, or its complications - protrusion or herniation of the spinal disc, doctors use the numbering adopted for PDS. This is of great importance both for practicing specialists: vertebrologists, neurologists, traumatologists and chiropractors, and for their patients.

If, when describing an image obtained during a diagnostic examination of the lumbar spine using magnetic resonance imaging, the doctor indicates “intervertebral hernia L4-L5,” it should be understood that a herniated disc located between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae has been detected.

Spinal cord

Coccygeal spine

The structure of the spinal cord is segmental, it consists of millions of nerve fibers. This organ is surrounded by 3 membranes: soft, arachnoid, and hard. The outer hard shell consists of dense fibrous tissue, inside of which there is the spinal cord and a large number of nerve roots, washed by cerebrospinal fluid.

The spinal cord emerges from the brain and ends at the level of the 1st - 2nd lumbar vertebrae. A bundle of nerve fibers departs from it, which form the cauda equina underneath it (4 lower lumbar, 5 sacral and coccygeal nerves, filum terminale of the spinal cord). It is responsible for the innervation of the lower extremities, as well as the pelvic organs.

Nerve roots exit the spinal canal through the foramina. Each section of the spinal cord transmits a nerve impulse. For example, the nerve roots of the cervical segment of the spine are responsible for the innervation of the neck and arms, the thoracic - the chest, abdominal organs, the lumbar and sacral - the lower extremities, and pelvic organs.

The spinal cord sends signals along peripheral nerves to various organs, in this way it regulates their functions. Next, information from the tissues enters the central nervous system via sensory nerve fibers.

Main functions

The human spine is a complex system that ensures activity, motor skills, and stability. It is the basis of the skeleton and is responsible for a variety of functions in the body. The amazing structure allows the organ to fully perform the tasks assigned to it. The main ones are:

Support for the whole body. It is the spine that withstands all the loads on the body and maintains balance in any position. This is the foundation on which the head, chest, shoulder girdle and limbs rest.
Protective. Strong bone tissue reliably protects the spinal cord from all types of mechanical influences. This organ is responsible for many vital processes in the body, so nature made sure that it was surrounded not only by bone, but also by cartilage and ligaments.
Motor. Thanks to the well-thought-out anatomy of the spine, a person is able to bend at the desired angle, squat, and pick up a fallen object from the floor without any obstacles.
Depreciation. Allows you to reduce loads when applying pressure during sudden movements or negative influences. This is an important task to ensure the safety of the vertebrae and minimize the likelihood of injury. This is especially true when performing jumps, throws, and running.

Each of these functions is extremely important for ensuring human health and maintaining a high quality of life. Any violations can lead to the loss of the spine’s ability to perform its tasks, be it injury or disease.

Muscles and ligaments of the spine

The muscle fibers located around the spinal column stabilize this bone structure and make it possible to perform various movements of the body (turns, bends). The muscles are fixed to the processes of the spine.

Often, painful sensations in the back are associated precisely with muscle damage. During physical activity, diseases or injuries of the spine, the likelihood of sprain or spasm increases. In the latter case, an involuntary contraction of the muscle occurs, then it cannot relax.

Reference. When the intervertebral discs, ligaments or joints of the spine are damaged, the muscles that surround it reflexively contract to stabilize the damaged area.

During muscle spasm, lactic acid accumulates in the fibers as they compress the blood vessels. This process is accompanied by painful sensations. When the muscles relax, the lumen of the blood vessels expands, lactic acid is washed out by the blood and the pain syndrome disappears.

The ligaments of the spine are divided into short and long. The first include - yellow, interspinous, supraspinous, nuchal, intertransverse, and the second - anterior and posterior longitudinal. They are located on the front and back surfaces of the vertebrae, as well as on the sides.

Muscles and ligaments fix the spinal column in a vertical position. In addition, they restrain the vertebrae from sudden movements, protecting them from injury.

Atlanto-occipital joint

Not all people know what the atlanto-occipital joint is. This is the bony joint that connects the skull to the cervical spine, it consists of the two condyles of the occipital bone and the superior articular recesses of the C1 vertebra. The articulating surfaces form a combined condylar biaxial joint.

Atlanto-occipital joint

Each bone connection has separate capsules, and ligaments fix them on the outside:

The anterior membrane, which is stretched between the anterior arch of C1 and the occipital bone.
The posterior membrane, which is located in the area between the posterior arch of the atlas, as well as the posterior circumference of the opening in the occipital bone of the skull.

Reference. The articulating surfaces are enclosed in separate capsules, but they move simultaneously.

The human atlanto-occipital ganglion allows movements around the frontal and sagittal axis. Around the first you can tilt your head back and forth, and around the second you can tilt it left and right. The anterior end of the sagittal axis is located slightly higher than the posterior one. Due to the diagonal arrangement of the axis, when tilted to the side, the head turns slightly in the opposite direction.

The muscles and ligaments of the atlanto-occipital ganglion allow you to move the head relative to the neck, fix the back of the head and the skull in the desired position. Ligamentous nodes hold the tooth-like bone in a constant position when the head rotates, protecting the spinal cord and blood vessels from damage. At the junction of the skull with the cervical spine, movements with a small amplitude are possible; wider movements are possible with the participation of the entire neck.

As mentioned earlier, C1 has a wide vertebral foramen, which allows the upper spinal cord to function normally. On the posterior surface of the atlanto-occipital node passes the vertebral artery, as well as a large number of spinal nerves that transmit signals from the central nervous system.

If there is a circulatory disorder in the area of the atlanto-occipital joint, people feel the following symptoms:

How to realign cervical vertebrae yourself

Headaches, migraines.
Increased blood pressure.
Frequent nausea, vertigo (dizzy), periodic vomiting.
Loss of consciousness.
Hearing and vision disorders, etc.

When the blood supply is disrupted, the brain suffers from a lack of nutrients and oxygen. In this case, drug treatment is necessary.

Connection of vertebrae with various organs

The spine is a strong frame that unites not only all the bones of the skeleton, but also many organs. Nerve branches extend from it, thanks to which the brain regulates the functioning of the entire body. If there are disorders in the spinal column, the nerves that innervate a certain organ transmit incorrect information, then its functionality is impaired.

The bone elements of the spine are associated with certain organs:

C1 – C7 are responsible for the normal functioning of the organs of hearing and vision, and are connected to the brain. Excessive tension in the muscles of the cervical spine can cause headaches, hearing and vision problems.
C7 is associated with the functioning of the thyroid gland. And C7 and D1 – D3 are involved in the work of the heart. With degenerative changes in these vertebrae, the likelihood of pressure surges, angina pectoris, and arrhythmia increases.
D4 – D8 are associated with the gall bladder, liver, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, spleen.
D9 – D12 are responsible for the normal functionality of the adrenal glands and kidneys. If discomfort occurs in this area, you should visit a urologist, since it is quite difficult to independently determine whether the kidneys or spine hurt. The 12th vertebra affects the functioning of the large and small intestines. If the 9th vertebra is damaged, allergies may occur.
L1 – L2 is responsible for intestinal function; if it is damaged, the likelihood of digestive disorders increases. The lumbar vertebrae are related to the genitourinary organs and lower extremities.
The vertebrae of the lumbosacral region receive signals from the genital organs. With the development of inflammatory diseases in this area, discomfort occurs.

As you can see, the spine is connected with the work of many organs. Therefore, if discomfort appears in a certain area, you should not make a diagnosis yourself; go to the doctor immediately.

Atlas displacement

Causes and symptoms

One of the most common pathologies of the cervical spine is displacement of the atlas relative to the C2 axis. Then the functionality of the upper cervical zone is impaired as a result of compression of the nerve roots, as well as blood vessels, and this leads to many pathologies.

When the very first vertebra of the cervical segment is displaced, then the work of important regulatory departments of the central nervous system is disrupted. If the bulb of the brain is damaged, respiratory movements and heart function may stop, since this area contains important nerve centers.

Reference. When the atlas is subluxated, almost all patients experience headaches and the spine is deformed. Some patients experience pain in the upper and lower extremities and abdomen, develop osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, dizziness, etc. After realignment of the vertebra, all unpleasant symptoms disappear.

The atlas can be displaced as a result of Kimmerly's anomaly - this is a congenital pathology in which an additional bone arch in the shape of a semi-ring is formed in the cervical region. But most often, subluxation can be caused by the following factors:

Diseases of the spinal column, for example, osteochondrosis, kyphosis, spondylosis.
Injury during childbirth caused by careless actions of an obstetrician.
Spondylolysis is a non-fusion of the vertebral arch in the area between the joints or the pedicle of the arch, which occurs due to delayed development of the posterior part of the spinal column.
Sports injuries, falls, accidents, etc.

Atlas displacement is a pathology that has a hidden course, so for a long time patients are not even aware of their condition. However, the disease can be identified by the following symptoms:

The headache hurts severely and for a long time.
Hearing and vision disorders occur.
The blood supply to the brain is disrupted.
Memory deteriorates.
The sensitivity of the hands is impaired, which is manifested by tingling, a sensation of “crawling goosebumps”, and numbness.
Weakening of the neck muscles to such an extent that the patient cannot hold his head up.
Pain appears in the back of the head or neck.
Sleep disorders occur.
The oral mucosa dries out.
Breathing is impaired.
Coughing attacks occur for no apparent reason, and the voice changes.

Reference. After a cervical injury, you should urgently visit a doctor, even if there are no suspicious symptoms.

In the absence of treatment for subluxation of the atlas, the functioning of the nervous system and the vasomotor center is disrupted, causing damage to the brain and increasing the risk of autonomic dysfunction. When C1 is displaced, cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the spinal canal, and as a result, the functions of the spine and spinal cord are disrupted. There is also a risk of vascular compression, then nausea and vomiting may occur, and the likelihood of disruption of the nervous, mental, and hormonal systems increases.

As you can see, the atlas is the most important vertebra that is involved in the work of many organs and systems. Therefore, when it is displaced, their normal operation is disrupted.

Treatment of atlas displacement

If symptoms of atlas displacement appear, you should contact a traumatologist. To identify pathology, palpation, radiography, and functional tests are performed. A CT or MRI may also be needed.

Reduction of the atlas when it is displaced

It is important to realign a displaced vertebra, but this should only be done by an experienced specialist, as there is a risk of injury to blood vessels and nerves. Then the patient may remain disabled or die.

After reduction of the atlas, the patient must wear a special collar for several months. To relieve severe pain, painkillers and anesthetics (Novocaine) are used; in severe cases, glucocorticosteroids cannot be avoided. Muscle relaxants will help relax spastic muscles and avoid paralysis.

It is recommended to supplement complex treatment with physiotherapy (magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, etc.), reflexology, massage, manual manipulation, and physical therapy.

Comprehensive and timely therapy will help speed up recovery, as well as prevent dangerous complications.

Main conclusions

The spine is the most important bone structure of the body. It consists of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions. If the position of the vertebrae is incorrect, the functionality of the organs with which they are connected is impaired. Unfortunately, the spinal column is prone to wear and tear (especially the cervical and lumbar spine), which increases the likelihood of destruction of the intervertebral discs and the bones themselves. To avoid osteochondrosis, the formation of protrusions, disc herniations or osteophytes, you need to be able to unload the spinal column and strengthen the muscle corset.

Spinal motion segment: what is it?

The spinal motion segment (VMS of the spine) is that part of the spine that consists of 2 adjacent vertebrae.

The spinal motion segment is the adjacent two vertebrae

In addition to adjacent vertebrae, the spinal motion segment also includes other structural units, such as joints, ligaments at the articulation of adjacent vertebrae, paravertebral muscles and the intervertebral disc. Each spinal motion segment contains 2 intervertebral (foraminal) foramina, where veins, arteries and spinal nerve roots are located.

The spinal column includes 24 spinal motion segments : 5 lumbar, 12 thoracic and 7 cervical.

The last lumbar segment (which is the lowest) is formed by the first sacral (S1) and fifth lumbar (L5) vertebrae. Spinal motion segments in medical protocols are called “by the name” of the vertebrae located above and below in a given part (for example, the L5-S1 segment).

Thus, the structure of the spinal motion segment includes the articular surfaces of adjacent vertebrae, ligaments, intervertebral disc, paravertebral muscles, and facet joints. When any of the listed structural units is damaged, disturbances in the movement of the spine occur, and, accordingly, in the rotation and bending of the torso.

Video: “What is a spinal motion segment?”