| How Your Back Works |
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| Education - Patient Education | |
 How the back works The cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae in this region which support the skull. The thoracic spine consists of twelve vertebrae which are attached to the ribs. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae which bear much of the body's weight. The sacrum consists of five fused vertebrae just above the coccyx. The coccyx or tail bone, is at the tip of the backbone. It consists of four vertebrae fused together. The spinal cord is a thick band of nerves that runs the whole length of the backbone. The spinal cord controls all body movement from the neck down. The vertebrae (the small bones of the back) are stacked on top of one another. They give the back its structure and support its movements. The discs which are located between most of the vertebrae absorb shock. This helps protect the back and spinal cord from injury. The ligaments are tough, fibrous bands of tissue that help hold all the vertebrae and discs together.  Parts of the spine The facet joints connect vertebrae. This gives the back stability and allows movement. The nerves branch out from the spinal cord and send messages to and from the brain. The muscles of the back provide the strength to stand, move, lift -- and more. The sciatic nerve is a group of nerves that runs from the lower back down to the foot. |
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