Chap 2, Divisions of the Back (Spinal Column)

Question 1

Cervical (C)

Answer 1

Neck region. There are seven cervical vertebrae (C1 to C7).

Question 2

Thoracic (T)

Answer 2

Chest region. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1 to T12). Each bone is joined to a rib.

Question 3

Lumbar (L)

Answer 3

Loin (waist) or flank region (between the ribs and the hipbone). There are five lumbar vertebrae (L1 to L5).

Question 4

Sacral (S)

Answer 4

Five bones (S1 to S5) are fused to form one bone, the sacrum.

Question 5

Coccygeal

Answer 5

The coccyx (tailbone) is a small bone composed of four fused pieces.

Question 6

Divisions of the back (Spinal Column)

Answer 6

The spinal column is composed of a series of bones that extend from the neck to the tailbone. Each bone is a vertebra (plural: vertebrae).

Question 7

Note: Spinal column vs spinal cord

Answer 7

Do not confuse the spinal column (back bones or vertebrae) with the spinal cord (nerves surrounded by the column). The column is bone tissue, whereas the cord is nervous tissue.

Question 8

Note: Intervertebral spaces, i.e.: L5-S1

Answer 8

the spaces between the vertebrae (intervertebral spaces) are identified according to the two vertebrae between which they occur - for example, the L5-S1 space is between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the first sacral vertebra;

Question 9

T2-3

Answer 9

is between the second and third thoracic vertebrae.

Question 10

disc

Answer 10

within the space and between vertebrae is a small pad called a disc. The disc, composed of water and cartilage, is a shock absorber.

Question 11

herniated disc or slipped disc

Answer 11

occasionally, a disk may move out of place (herniate) and put pressure on a nerve. This can cause pain in an area of the body affected by the nerve.