![]() ![]() You may not see or hear as well as you did when you were younger. Your body goes through many changes as you get older. Prior to surgery there is no way of telling how much of this “insulation” has been rubbed off or how much damage has been done to the nerve itself (the body’s “live electrical wire”). When a nerve root is damaged, all or part of its protective coating may be rubbed off at the point of injury. These nerves are protected by an “insulated” covering in the same way a “live” electrical line is coated to prevent contact with the bare wire. The spinal nerve roots are part of the body’s “electrical” system, carrying “current” (for sensation and movement) to specific parts of the body. “Plump” and healthy discs help to cushion the vertebra and keep the opening of the foramen wide enough for the spinal nerve roots to pass through without being pinched. ![]() The Spinal Nerve Roots and the ForamenĪt each vertebral level, a pair of spinal nerve roots branch off from the spinal cord or the cauda equina (Fig 3,above) and pass through an opening in the vertebra called the foramen (Figs. The spinal canal runs through the center of the spinal column and protects the spinal cord and other delicate spinal nerves. The spinal cord, which begins at the base of the brain and runs within the spinal canal, ends in the lumbar spine area in a bundle of nerves known as the cauda equina. As your body ages, the disc’s nucleus begins to “dry up” and stiffen, increasing the chances that the central bundle of nerves and/or a spinal nerve may eventually become pinched. The gelatin-like center of each intervertebral disc (called the nucleus) is surrounded by a tougher, fiber-like outer lining (called the annulus) (Fig. ![]() Healthy discs, with their gelatin-like inner core, allow the spine to move freely and provide much of the flexibility found in a young person’s spine. These discs act like shock absorbers during activity, preventing the individual vertebra from rubbing against one another. The bony vertebrae of your spinal column are separated from one another by pads of tough cartilage, called intervertebral discs (Fig. The constant pressure from this weight, even when you are simply sitting in a chair, is what usually leads to problems associated with the lower back. The vertebrae in the lumbar (or lower back) portion of your spine carry the majority of this weight. It is the central support for your upper body and carries the weight of your head, chest and arms. Your spinal column enables you to walk upright. The role of the Vertebral (Spinal) Column Together, they support the spinal column and help to protect its delicate nerves. Support for the Vertebral (Spinal) ColumnĪttached to the vertebrae are muscles, tendons and a group of strong bands, called ligaments. The lumbar (lower back) spine: the bottom five vertebrae.The thoracic (chest) spine: the middle 12 vertebrae and.The cervical (neck) spine: the top seven vertebrae.The vertebrae are stacked one on top of another and can be divided into: Your spinal column consists of 24 separate bones, called vertebrae, plus the five fused bones of the sacrum and the four fused bones of the coccyx (often referred to as the “tail bone”) (Fig. ![]() Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine, the Spinal Column and Vertebrae ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |