How the Anatomy of your Spine Works

CERVICAL

The Cervical is the uppermost region, consuming of 7 total vertebrae, which take up the entirety of the neck. Because the neck has the thinnest set of vertebrae of the spine, they are naturally more delicate but likewise offer a great amount of flexibility that the neck requires for movement. The first and second vertebrae are especially notable. The first, called the Atlas, is a supportive vertebra that sits at the base of the skull and allows the head to move up and down. The second is called the Axis, which allows the skull to pivot left and right.

THORACIC

The Thoracic is a set of 12 vertebrae following the Cervical. These take place at the end of the neck and go down the chest region. At this point of the spine, the vertebrae are much less delicate than the Cervical. The Thoracic vertebrae are wider and thicker, making them less flexible than the Cervical. The most notable function of this section is each vertebra connects to a pair of ribs, making this sturdy section ideal for supporting the already protective and stable rib cage.

LUMBAR

The Lumbar is a much smaller section consisting of five vertebrae that follows the Thoracic. These begin at the start of the lower back and build from the Thoracic strength to become larger and stronger. These vertebrae are also much more flexible as each one is not supporting a set of ribs, which allows you to twist side to side. The lower back and Lumbar region is the most common area people experience pain. This is often because the upper body puts all its weight on the Lumbar section’s vertebrae. Therefore, this otherwise large and strong section of the spine ends up achy or injured the most.

SACRAL

The Sacral follows the Lumbar region and is very small. The Sacral does not technically have a vertebra of its own. It only has one bone called the Sacrum. However, the Sacrum is made by five very small vertebrae fusing together at a young age to form a singular, triangular shaped bone placed between the hip bones for support.

COCCYGEAL

The Coccygeal is the final region of the spine and smallest next to the Sacral. The Coccygeal is like the Sacral because it consists of between three to five vertebrae that fused together during childhood to create what most people recognize as the tailbone, also called the Coccyx. The Coccyx is also like the Lumbar region as it is a weight baring section. The Coccyx takes the weight of sitting and supports the nearby pelvis and gluteal muscles.