The posterior elements include the articulating processes, lamina, and spinous process. Except for the first and the second cervical vertebrae, the vertebrae share a similar structure including a vertebral body containing trabecular bone. The spine is composed of seven cervical, twelve thoracic, and five lumbar vertebrae as well as the fused sacrum and coccyx vertebral elements. The spine is composed of multiple vertebrae, which protect the spinal cord and proximal spinal nerves. Given its complex anatomy and length, the spine remains one of the most difficult parts of the skeletal system to evaluate. As the spinal cord has limited healing ability, an acute myelopathy is an emergency and should prompt urgent imaging, preferably with MRI given its superior evaluation of the spinal cord and canal. Classic symptoms of myelopathy include bladder and bowel incontinence, spasticity, weakness, and ataxia. However, myelopathy is caused by mechanical spinal cord compression or by intrinsic lesions of the spinal cord. This results in specific sensory deficits and muscle group weakness. Radiculopathy results from mechanical compression or irritation of a spinal nerve, often within a lateral recess or neural foramina. Patients with spine disorders may also present with radiculopathy and myelopathy. Fever or history of malignancy should raise suspicion and urgency. While back pain is epidemic and associated with great disability, back pain without neurologic compromise is usually not an emergency. When considering performing and interpreting imaging of the spine, it is important to first understand the clinical context. Although diseases of the spine are very common, clinical syndromes may mimic each other, necessitating imaging such as MRI for diagnosis and patient management. The spinal column is made up of many parts, all designed to help the back move flexibly, support body weight and protect the spinal cord and nerves.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the examination of choice for imaging the spine and its contents. Tumors, infection, trauma, deformity or other spinal disorders.Damage or disease to the discs that separate the vertebrae.Injuries to the bones, ligaments or joints.Strain of the large muscles of the back that hold the spine upright.Irritation of the smaller nerves of the spine that involve innervate or supply the discs between the vertebrae, facets and ligaments.Irritation of the large nerves as they exit the bony confines of the spine leading to the arms and legs.While many of us take the benefits of a healthy spine for granted, spinal pain is a sharp reminder of how much we depend on our back in daily life. The spinal column combines strong bones, unique joints, flexible ligaments and tendons, large muscles and highly sensitive nerves. Five bones in the lower back-the lumbar spine.12 bones in the chest-the thoracic spine.Seven bones in the neck-the cervical spine.The remaining small bones or ossicles below the sacrum are also fused together and called the tailbone or coccyx. It is made up of several vertebral bodies usually fused together as one. The bottom of the spine is called the sacrum. Sometimes a person may have an additional vertebra, which is called a transitional body and is usually found at the sixth level of the lumbar area (labeled L6). By the time a person becomes an adult most have only 24 vertebrae because some vertebrae at the bottom end of the spine fuse together during normal growth and development. The average person is born with 33 individual bones (the vertebrae) that interact and connect with each other through flexible joints called facets. The spine supports about half the weight of the body. Structural support for the body, allowing us to stand upright.It provides several important functions, including: The human spine is a complex anatomic structure that is the scaffolding for the entire body.
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