The spine (backbone) is composed of 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae that are separated by soft, compressible discs and supported by many different ligaments and muscles.
The spine, also known as the vertebral column or spinal column, is a column of 26 bones in an adult body – 24 separate vertebrae interspaced with cartilage, and then additionally the sacrum and coccyx.... Stretching down the midline of the trunk from the base of the skull to the coccyx, the spine plays an extremely important role in our bodies as it supports the upper body’s weight; provides posture while allowing for movement and flexibility; and protects the spinal cord. 1 Spinal stenosis pain in the neck is called cervical spinal stenosis. 2  This condition means that there is potential compression of the spinal cord. 3  Unfortunately, the spinal cord compression can lead to serious problems such as extreme weakness, or even paralysis. The thoracic part of the spine is the middle/upper portion of the spine, and mainly consists of the vertebrae that are attached to the rib cage. This stable and strong part of the spine allows for minimal movement, which is why degenerative conditions such as spinal stenosis are less likely to develop. In This Article: Full Definition of SPINE. 1. a: spinal column b: something resembling a spinal column or constituting a central axis or chief support c: the part of a book to which the pages are attached and on the cover of which usually appear the title and author's and publisher's names. 2 10 most extreme places on Earth. The spine, alternately known as the vertebral column or backbone, is the structure that encloses and protects the spinal cord, which is the bundle of nerves that transmits signals from the brain to the rest of the body. 1 The human spine serves to protect the bundle of nerves known as the spinal cord. 2  The spine is a central and crucial connector within the human skeletal structure. The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system (CNS). The length of the spinal cord is much shorter as compared to the length of the vertebral column. The human spinal cord extends from the foramen magnum and continues through to the conus medullaris near the second lumbar vertebra, terminating in a fibrous extension known as the filum terminale. The spine is also designed to protect your spinal cord. The spinal cord is a column of nerves that connects your brain with the rest of your body, allowing you to control your movements. Without a spinal cord, you could not move any part of your body, and your organs could not function. This is why keeping your spine healthy is vital if you want to live an active life. The base of your spine (sacrum) is a fusion of many bones, and when one of them forms as a vertebra rather than part of the sacrum, it is called a transitional (or sixth) vertebra. This occurrence is not dangerous and does not appear to have any serious side effects. Spine. The spine (backbone) is composed of 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae that are separated by soft, compressible discs and supported by many different ligaments and muscles. spine. 1. a thornlike process or projection; called also acantha and spina. 2. the rigid bony structure in the midline of the back, composed of the vertebrae; called also backbone, spinal column, and vertebral column. The spinal column is the axis of the skeleton; the skull and limbs are in a sense appendages.  Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of spaces in the spine (backbone) which causes pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. About 75% of cases of spinal stenosis occur in the low back (lumbar spine). There are many potential causes for spinal stenosis, including: 1  Aging: With age, the body's ligaments (tough connective tissues between the bones in the spine) can thicken. 2  Spurs (small growths) may develop on the bones and into the spinal canal. 3  The cushioning disks between the vertebrae may begin to deteriorate.
http://www.innerbody.com/image/skel05.html http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/what-spinal-stenosis http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spine http://www.wisegeekhealth.com/what-is-the-spine.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord http://umm.edu/programs/spine/health/guides/anatomy-and-function http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/spine http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/spine http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/spinal-stenosis
what is a spine