where are the cervical thoracic and lumbar vertebrae located

What are the Similarities Between Cervical Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebrae?

• Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar vertebrae are parts of the vertebral column.
• All three groups consist of individual bones.
• All three groups are located along the midline of the body.
• These vertebrae support the spinal nerves and protect the spinal cord.

Full Answer

What is the difference between thoracic and cervical vertebrae?

Cervical vertebrae are the seven individual vertebrae located in the neck region, immediately below the skull. Thoracic vertebrae are the twelve vertebrae which allow attachment sites for all ribs. Lumbar vertebrae consist of five cylindrical bones that make the spine in the lower back of the body.

How many thoracic vertebrae are in the vertebral column?

Thoracic vertebrae are the twelve vertebrae which allow attachment sites for all ribs. Lumbar vertebrae consist of five cylindrical bones that make the spine in the lower back of the body. Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar are three groups of vertebrae in the vertebral column. It has 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae.

What are the vertebrae of the spine?

By definition, the vertebrae are the bones of the spine or backbone that function to protect the spinal cord and support the rest of the body and cranium. The vertebral column is divided into 5 different regions - cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.

What are the nerves from the lumbar spine?

The nerves from the lumbar spine mainly supply motor and sensory function to the legs. As described above, when talking about the spine, it is generally divided into three primary regions: the lumbar spine (lower back), thoracic spine (middle back), and cervical spine (neck), while the base of the spine sits on a triangular bone called the sacrum.

Where is the cervical thoracic located?

The nerves of your spinal cord pass through a large hole (called the vertebral foramen) that passes through the center of all of your vertebrae — from the base of your skull through the cervical vertebrae, the thoracic (middle back) vertebrae and ending between the first and second lumbar (lower back) vertebrae.

Where in the body are the cervical vertebrae located?

The neck is part of a long flexible column, known as the spinal column or backbone, which extends through most of the body. The cervical spine (neck region) consists of seven bones (C1-C7 vertebrae), which are separated from one another by intervertebral discs.

How many thoracic cervical and lumbar vertebrae are there?

Seven bones in the neck—the cervical spine. 12 bones in the chest—the thoracic spine. Five bones in the lower back—the lumbar spine.

Where is the lumbar vertebrae located?

lower backYour lumbar spine consists of the five bones (vertebra) in your lower back. Your lumbar vertebrae, known as L1 to L5, are the largest of your entire spine. Your lumbar spine is located below your 12 chest (thoracic) vertebra and above the five fused bones that make up your triangular-shaped sacrum bone.

What is the difference between cervical thoracic and lumbar vertebrae?

Cervical vertebrae are the seven individual vertebrae located in the neck region, immediately below the skull. Thoracic vertebrae are the twelve vertebrae which allow attachment sites for all ribs. Lumbar vertebrae consist of five cylindrical bones that make the spine in the lower back of the body.

How many cervical vertebrae are in the human body?

seven cervical vertebraeThe cervical spine, comprised of seven cervical vertebrae referred to as C1 to C7, is divided into two major segments: the craniocervical junction (CCJ) and the subaxial spine. The CCJ includes the occiput and the two most cephalad cervical vertebrae known as the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2).

Which vertebrae affect which nerves?

The spinal nerves are numbered according to the vertebrae above which it exits the spinal canal. The 8 cervical spinal nerves are C1 through C8, the 12 thoracic spinal nerves are T1 through T12, the 5 lumbar spinal nerves are L1 through L5, and the 5 sacral spinal nerves are S1 through S5. There is 1 coccygeal nerve.

Which lumbar nerve controls what?

L1 spinal nerve provides sensation to the groin and genital regions and may contribute to the movement of the hip muscles. L2, L3, and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of the thigh and inner side of the lower leg. These nerves also control movements of the hip and knee muscles.

What are the 5 areas of the spine?

Sections. 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 is the thoracic vertebrae?

Your thoracic spine is the middle section of your spine. It starts at the base of your neck and ends at the bottom of your ribs. It's the longest section of your spine. Your thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae, labeled T1 through T12. Vertebrae are the 33 individual, interlocking bones that form your spinal column.

What are the 7 cervical vertebrae?

Position of human cervical vertebrae (shown in red). It consists of 7 bones, from top to bottom, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7.

Where is the 5th cervical vertebrae located?

Location: 0.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of the first through twelfth thoracic vertebrae. They are located bilaterally for a total of 24 points.

What is the cervical vertebrae and its function?

The Bones of Your Neck There are seven bones, each called a cervical vertebra, that are stacked upon one another. These cervical vertebrae are specially shaped and configured to allow for maximum motion while supporting your skull and protecting your spinal cord, neighboring blood vessels, and nerves.

What are 3 important functions of the cervical spine?

The first are the cervical vertebrae....Roles of the spineProtect your spinal cord and surrounding structures. This is probably the most important the spinal vertebrae play in the body. ... Provide the foundation for your posture. Without your spinal bones, you would not be able to stand upright. ... Enable you to move and bend.

How many vertebrae are in the neck?

Consists of seven vertebrae in the neck. These vertebrae are small and allow for the mobile nature of the neck.

What does it mean when your cervical spine is numb?

A cervical herniated disc may put pressure on a cervical spinal nerve and can cause symptoms like pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the neck, shoulders, or arms. A large disc herniation in the cervical spine may compress the spinal cord within the spinal canal and cause numbness, stiffness, and weakness in the legs and possibly some difficulty with bowel and bladder control.

How to remove a herniated disc?

Microdiscectomy: A procedure that use s a microscope and microsurgical tools to remove the portion of the disc that is pressing against the nerve, relieving the pressure caused by a herniated disc. Microdiscectomy is frequently performed for herniated discs in the certical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia through a small skin incision over the spine. The muscles of the spine are gently elevated or spread apart to expose a small segment of the spine. A small amount of the back part of the spine, called the lamina and facet joint, is trimmed under high magnification of the microscope to provide safe access to the spinal canal. Using microsurgical techniques, our neurosurgeons identify and remove the herniated piece of the disc while protecting the compressed nerve. Most patients may go home either on the day of surgery or the next morning.

What color are the bones of the spinal column?

The image at left shows the entire spinal column from beside and from the front. The bones of the spinal column are orange in color, and the intervertebral discs are white.

Where does disc herniation occur?

Disc herniation can occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. The location of the pain depends on the location of the herniated disc. If the herniation occurs in the neck, for example, it can cause pain that radiates into the shoulder and arm; if it occurs in the lower back, the pain produced can radiate down into the hip and leg. Depending on the location, it can damage the spinal cord.

Which approach is required for large or calcified thoracic disc herniations that cause spinal cord compression?

Anterior (from the front) or lateral (from the side) sur gical approaches may be required for large or calcified thoracic disc herniations that cause spinal cord compression.

Can a herniated disc cause degenerative disc disease?

Since a herniated disc may cause similar symptoms to other degenerative spinal conditions, a surgeon may order a variety of diagnostic procedures to rule out other possible conditions.

Where are the thoracic vertebrae located?

Thoracic vertebrae are the twelve individual bones along the midline of the body in the thorax region. All ribs are attached to thoracic vertebrae. Thoracic vertebrae form the vertebral spine in the upper trunk. They also protect the spinal nerves in that region. Figure 02: Thoracic Vertebrae.

What are the Similarities Between Cervical Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebrae?

Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar vertebrae are parts of the vertebral column.

What are Cervical Vertebrae?

Cervical vertebrae are the vertebrae in the neck region, located immediately below the skull. The individual bones of the cervical vertebrae abbreviate as C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7. The top-most cervical vertebra is the atlas vertebra, which holds the head upright. The second topmost cervical vertebra is the axis vertebra which facilitates most of the head movements and provides an axis for side to side head rotation.

What are the five major groups of vertebrae?

They are cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacral vertebrae and coccyx vertebrae.

How many vertebrae are there in the human body?

There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae. The vertebral column is a part of the human skeleton, which comprises 26 vertebrae. It is a bony segmented structure that runs on the back of the body.

How many bones are in the lumbar vertebrae?

Lumbar vertebrae consist of five cylindrical bones that make the spine in the lower back of the body.

Which vertebrae have a foramen?

Moreover, cervical vertebrae are the smallest vertebrae in the vertebral column. Each transverse process of cervical vertebrae has a foramen (hole), unlike thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

There are 12 thoracic vertebrae labeled T1-T12. The thoracic vertebrae are located in the mid-upper back, and they hold the rib cage to help support and protect the heart and lungs. The thoracic vertebrae are less mobile than the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. View fullsize.

Where are the intervertebral discs located?

Intervertebral Discs. There is an intervertebral disc located between each mobile vertebra (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), with the exception of between C1 and C2. Each intervertebral disc forms a cushion between the vertebral bodies preventing the bones from rubbing together. View fullsize.

What are the mobile vertebrae?

The mobile vertebrae make up the superior portion of the spinal column and include the 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, and 5 lumbar vertebrae. The fused vertebrae make up the inferior portion of the spinal column and include the 5 sacral and 4 coccyx vertebrae.

What is the role of intervertebral discs in the body?

Each intervertebral disc forms a cushion between the vertebral bodies preventing the bones from rubbing together.

What is the function of the vertebral column?

The function of the vertebral column, also known as the spinal column, is to the protect and support the spinal cord and bear the weight of the rest of the body.

What are the different regions of the vertebrae?

The vertebral column is divided into 5 different regions - cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx. This EZmed post will walk you through the vertebral column anatomy, ...

Which vertebrae are less mobile?

The thoracic vertebrae are less mobile than the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.

What are the structures that are anchored in place by vertebral endplates?

First among these structures are the spinal discs, called intervertebral discs. Each disc is similar to a fibrous pad of tissue (called fibrocartilage) and anchored in place by vertebral endplates (called cartilaginous endplates) starting at C3 through L5-sacrum. These discs act as interbody spacers and shock absorbers.

Where is the sacrum located?

Sacrum and Coccyx. The sacrum (or sacral spine) is a triangular-shaped bone located below the last lumbar spinal vertebrae. The sacrum sits between the hip bones (called iliac bones) and forms the back of the pelvis. The sacrum connects to the pelvis at the left and right sides by the sacroiliac joints (SI joints).

How many bones are in the spinal column?

The entire spinal column consists of 24 individual bones called vertebrae (singular vertebra ), plus 2 sections of naturally fused vertebrae—the sacrum and the coccyx—located at the very bottom of the spine. When most people talk about the spinal column, they’re actually referring to the vertebral column: the 24 circular vertebrae ...

How do spinal nerves exit the spinal canal?

Each set of spinal nerves exit the spinal canal through the foramina associated with a particular part of the body that nerve system supports—nerves enable the function (motor) and feeling (sensation). For example, the nerves that provide sensation to the fingers exit the spinal canal via foramina in the cervical spine—because that segment is located nearest the hands.

What are the parts of the spinal column?

Listed below are parts of the body associated with regions of the spinal column: 1 Cervical spine: diaphragm (breathing), shoulders, parts of the arms, esophagus, part of the chest 2 Thoracic spine: parts of the arm and esophagus, trachea, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, small intestine 3 Lumbar spine: legs and feet 4 Sacrum: bowel, bladder, sexual function

What bones are below the sacrum?

Immediately below the sacrum are 3 to 5 small bones that naturally fuse together at adulthood forming the coccyx or tailbone. Sometimes the coccyx is termed the coccygeal vertebrae.

Where does the spinal cord exit from?

The vertebral structures form a continuous round hollow space that houses the spinal cord from the cervical through lumbar spine. Small nerve roots branch off from the spinal cord and exit the vertebral column through foramen, also called foramina or neuroforamen.

What is the anatomy of the spine?

The anatomy of the spine is varied and complex, with strong bones working in tandem with discs (shock-absorbing pads between the vertebrae), as well as flexible ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The lumbar spine, cervical spine and thoracic spine each have their own very unique structure, allowing for different stresses and strains to be supported, ...

What is the function of the lumbar spine?

The nerves from the lumbar spine mainly supply motor and sensory function to the legs. As described above, when talking about the spine, it is generally divided into three primary regions: the lumbar spine (lower back), thoracic spine (middle back), and cervical spine (neck), while the base of the spine sits on a triangular bone called the sacrum.

How many nerves are in the spinal column?

There are eight different nerves associated with the cervical spine, twelve with the thoracic spine, and five with the lumbar spine.

Why are spinal nerves so susceptible to injury?

Spinal nerves are particularly susceptible to injury, given that they do not regenerate once they have endured sufficient physical trauma. This is why conditions that threaten the integrity of the spinal cord—such as spinal tumors, bone spurs, and spinal fractures—must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Where is Kraus Back and Neck Institute?

The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX takes care of patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.

Can a herniated disc cause weakness in the arm?

A herniated disc in the cervical spine may cause pain in the arm, or weakness of the arm. When a herniated disc in the cervical spine compresses the cervical spinal cord, it may result in a spinal cord injury and possibly partial or complete paralysis, from the level of the spinal cord compression and below.

What is the cervical spine?

The cervical spine (neck) is the first section of the spinal column and starts at the bottom of the skull . It contains seven vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs and joins with the thoracic spine, which is the next section below.#N#The first two vertebrae called the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2), are entirely different than those in other areas of the spine because the first rotates around the second. Thus, the structure allows the skull to have a significant amount of movement. The other five vertebrae (C3-C7) function similarly to those in the thoracic and lumbar spine areas but provide for significantly more motion. The other main difference between cervical vertebrae and those located in the thoracic and lumbar sections is that cervical vertebra have space in each one for the vertebral arteries, which transport blood to the brain.

What is the function of the cervical spine?

The primary functions of the cervical spine are to support the weight and motion of the skull and to act as a protective cover for the top section of the spinal cord. The cervical spine also assists with blood flow to the brain.

What is cervical kyphosis?

Cervical Kyphosis, is an abnormal forward curve resulting from a genetic problem, degenerated this, or traumatic injury

What causes narrowing of the spinal canal and leads to painful nerve constriction?

Cervical Stenosis, which causes narrowing of the spinal canal and leads to painful nerve constriction

Understanding the anatomy of your spine

The vertebrae in your spine consist of 33 bones that lock together to form your spinal column. Each vertebra is numbered and categorized according to its position in your spine. From the top-down, the regions are cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.

Cervical discs

There are seven vertebrae in your neck, and they are called C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7. Your cervical discs are located between each vertebra, and they support the bones in your neck. Your cervical discs serve as shock absorbers.

Lumbar discs

There are six vertebrae in your lumbar region, named L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. These vertebrae are larger than your cervical bones because they must support your upper body weight. They also allow for flexibility in your lower back, enabling you to bend and twist. Like the cervical vertebrae, you also have discs between these bones.

Disc pain

Intervertebral discs 一 whether they are in your cervical spine or lumbar spine 一 are subject to herniation. A disc becomes herniated when the gel-like inner portion (the nucleus) of the disc herniates or ruptures. The soft center pushes through the outer layer and can press on nerves, which causes pain and discomfort.