What is the structure of the lumbar vertebrae?
What is the structure of the lumbar vertebrae?
The lumbar vertebrae consist of five individual cylindrical bones that form the spine in the lower back. These vertebrae carry all of the upper body’s weight while providing flexibility and movement to the trunk region. They also protect the delicate spinal cord and nerves within their vertebral canal.
What are the levels of the lumbar spine?
The lumbar spine is the lower back that begins below the last thoracic vertebra (T12) and ends at the top of the sacral spine, or sacrum (S1). Most people have 5 lumbar levels (L1-L5), although it is not unusual to have 6. Each lumbar spinal level is numbered from top to bottom—L1 through L5, or L6.
What are the 5 structures of the vertebrae?
The spine is composed of 33 bones, called vertebrae, divided into five sections: the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine sections, and the sacrum and coccyx bones.
What structures are found between the vertebrae?
Intervertebral Disc The intervertebral discs are flat, round “cushions” that act as shock absorbers between each vertebra in your spine. There is one disc between each vertebra. Each disc has a strong outer ring of fibers called the annulus, and a soft, jelly-like center called the nucleus pulposus.
What is the main function of the lumbar vertebrae?
Lumbar (low back) – the main function of the lumbar spine is to bear the weight of the body. The five lumbar vertebrae are numbered L1 to L5. These vertebrae are much larger in size to absorb the stress of lifting and carrying heavy objects.
What are the names of the 26 vertebrae?
These regions are called the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacrum, and coccyx.
Which vertebrae are largest and strongest?
lumbar vertebrae
Some people have 6 lumbar vertebrae. These vertebrae are your largest and strongest vertebrae, responsible for carrying a lot of your body’s weight. The lumbar vertebrae are also your last “true” vertebrae; beneath this region, your vertebrae are fused by the time you stop growing.
How big is the vertebral body of the lumbar vertebrae?
The vertebral body of each lumbar vertebra is large, wider from side to side than from front to back, and a little thicker in front than in back.
What is the structure and function of the lumbar vertebrae?
The function of the structures of the lumbar spine are to protect and support the spinal cord and spinal nerves. The spinal nerves pass through a large hole (foramen) in the center of each vertebrae, which when lined up is called the spinal canal.
What kind of bones are in the lumbar vertebrae?
The lumbar vertebrae consist of five individual cylindrical bones that form the spine in the lower back.
How are the lumbar vertebrae stacked in order?
The lumbar vertebrae are stacked to form a continuous column in order from superior (L1 or first lumbar vertebra) to inferior (L5 or fifth lumbar vertebra). Together they create the concave lumbar curvature in the lower back.
How many vertebrae are there in the lumbar spine?
Most people have 5 lumbar levels (L1-L5), although it is not unusual to have 6. Each lumbar spinal level is numbered from top to bottom—L1 through L5, or L6.
The function of the structures of the lumbar spine are to protect and support the spinal cord and spinal nerves. The spinal nerves pass through a large hole (foramen) in the center of each vertebrae, which when lined up is called the spinal canal.
The lumbar vertebrae are stacked to form a continuous column in order from superior (L1 or first lumbar vertebra) to inferior (L5 or fifth lumbar vertebra). Together they create the concave lumbar curvature in the lower back.
What is the normal curvature of the lumbar spine?
The amount of lordosis an individual has varies, but typically is somewhere in the range of 40-60 degrees. There are many conditions of the spine that may affect the normal curvature of the lumbar spine, resulting in pain and disability. Some of these conditions are listed at the end of this article.