Anatomy of the Spine

Nearly 12 million visits are made to physician offices each year because of back problems. Eight out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. This section describes some of the most common spine conditions and disorders.


Anatomy of a normal spine

The spine consists of:

  • 24 hard bones (vertebrae) that connect like puzzle pieces with
  • Soft cushioning disks between them. This makes the spine both strong and flexible.
  • The transverse process is a wing of bone on either side of each vertebra
  • The spinous process is the part of each vertebra you can feel through your skin.
  • The spinal cord is the "electric cable" that travels through a central canal in the vertebrae, connecting your brain to the muscles of your legs.

The spine has three natural curves:

  • the cervical curve (neck)
  • the thoracic curve (middle back) and
  • the lumbar curve (lower back)

Back or neck problems can have many causes, including:

  • Damage from overuse
  • Damage from an injury
  • Medical problems such as arthritis

Back and neck problems can disrupt life, making it difficult to work, exercise, or keep up with your daily errands. Family and social life may be strained as a result.

This page was last updated on 09/14/04.

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