The two lowest segments in the lumbar spine, L5-S1 and L4-L5 , carry the most weight and have the most movement, making the area prone to injury. In between vertebrae are spinal discs, which cushion the joints of the spine and provide support.
Discs in the lumbar region of the spine are most likely to herniate or degenerate, which can cause pain in the lower back, or radiating pain to the legs and feet.
The spinal cord travels from the base of the skull to the joint at TL1 , where the thoracic spine meets the lumbar spine. At this segment, nerve roots branch out from the spinal cord, running from the lower back through the back of the leg, and down to the toes.
Some lower back conditions may compress these nerve roots, resulting in pain that radiates to the lower extremities, known as radiculopathy. L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. The L5 vertebra is connected to the top of the sacrum named the S1 segment through an intervertebral disc. To review, the purpose of the spine, as a whole, is to support the body so that we can stand upright. Secondarily, it protects the spinal cord which is the extension of the brain , and all of the nerves that branch from the spinal cord.
For more detailed descriptions of anatomical terminology and spinal cord anatomy, please reference:. When looking from behind, in most individuals, the spine looks straight.
However, when viewing the spine from the side, there are distinct curves to each part of the spine. The purpose of these curves is to grant some additional flexibility and shock absorbing abilities to the spine. In the lumbar region, the spine normally curves backwards.
This curvature is known as a lordosis. The amount of lordosis an individual has varies, but typically is somewhere in the range of 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. Similar to the rest of the spine thoracic and cervical , each of the vertebra of the lumbar spine consists of a body, two pedicles, lamina, and multiple bony projections called processes.
The vertebrae of the lumbar spine are the largest of the spine as they must support the most weight. The vertebral bodies are the major weight bearing portion of the vertebra. The processes serve as attachment points for various ligaments and muscles that are important to the stability of the spine.
The posterior or back aspect of the body, and medial or inside aspects of the pedicle, and the anterior or front lamina form a protective bony ring, called the spinal canal , around the very important dural sac. The sacrum and the coccyx make up the lowest part of your spine, or the pelvic cavity. The sacrum connects the spine to the hips with five vertebrae that are fused together.
Finally, the coccyx is the vestigial tail of the spine, commonly known as the tailbone. To learn more about the interworking of your spine and its functions, call Spine Solutions at Having back and spine issues can be truly debilitating.
But while most back pain usually fades after a session of massage or a visit to your Minimally invasive spine surgery was created to treat spine conditions as a more stable and less invasive alternative to open surgery. Minimally invasive spine surgery can A healthy diet can transform your body and its ability to take on the world. Most individuals have been affected by back pain at some point during their lives. Sometimes the pain feels mild.
Other times, the pain feels debilitating.
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