The vertebral column, also known as the spine or rachis, is a complex structure that combines 24 individual bones called vertebrae, which are responsible for supporting and protecting the spinal cord and ensuring the balance of vertebrates.
These bones that make up the spinal column are grouped one above the other in 5 regions that we will detail below. In addition, each of these regions, except the coccyx, has a characteristic curvature that as a whole is S-shaped and helps to absorb and distribute the effort of the activities carried out.
cervical region
The cervical region is located along the neck, beginning at the base of the skull and It is made up of the first 7 vertebrae along with 8 pairs of cervical nerves. At a technical level we use the name C1 to C7 vertebrae for them.
Specific characteristics of the cervical vertebrae
The cervical region is characterized by being within the most mobile segment of the spine. Therefore, it is very common for different conditions to manifest in the area.
The first and second vertebrae are those that allow movement and are called atlas and axis or C1 and C2 and together they make up the upper cervical region.
The first vertebra of the spine is called C1 or atlas, its name comes from Greek and means bearer or person in charge of “supporting” the weight on their shoulders. It is the vertebra that connects the base of the skull to the neck. The second vertebra is known by the technical name of C2 or axis, which means axis.
The lower cervical region is made up of the junction of the C2-C3 to C7 vertebrae and is responsible for covering the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord and collaborates with the cervical flexion-extension, tilt and rotation movements.
Thoracic region of the spine
The dorsal vertebrae area It is made up of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12) and they occupy the central part of the column, covering three quarters of the spinal cord. Together with the ribs, they are the bones that protect the vital organs found in the rib cage. in which the heart and lungs are housed.
lumbar region of the spine
The region The lumbar spine is made up of 5 vertebrae (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5) that are located in the lower back., at the level of the abdomen, starting just a few centimeters below the shoulder blades. Despite having intervertebral discs, this region is the one that supports the most weight, which is why it is common to suffer certain conditions resulting from their wear.
Since the spinal cord extends only to the T12-L1 vertebrae, it is very rare for spinal cord damage to arise in this lower back area.
Sacro-axial region
The sacral region is made up of 5 bones (S1-S5) in infancy and childhood that over time fuse with each other forming a single bone. It is connected at its upper end to the L5 vertebra and below to the coccyx. Together with the pelvis, it covers and protects the abdominal organs.
Coccyx
It is the last bone of the spine. It is composed, like the sacrum, of 6 vertebrae that fuse into a single bone. It is the rest of the tail that remains from the evolution that mammals have. Humans, being a bipedal mammal, do not need a tail to maintain balance, which is why it has tended to disappear over time.
Today it is estimated that 80% of people are affected throughout their lives by some spinal problem, which is why at ICAC (Institute of Advanced Spine Surgery) we are updated with the latest techniques and technological advances in surgeries. of spine.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact our expert doctors.
38 thoughts on “Cómo está formada la columna vertebral”
I have had a fall and they are going to perform an arthrodesis on T12 and I would like to know the limitations I will have and if I will be able to work or I will be retired.
Hello Juan José,
Thanks for your comment. After the intervention, it is important to know that the evolution will depend on the condition of each patient, so we recommend following the guidelines of a traumatologist at all times. For any questions, you can contact us at the following link: https://columna.com/contacto/
All the best.
Hello, can you tell me what treatment I require if I have a diagnosis of cervical disc herniation C3-C4 C5-C6 AND C6-C7
Good morning Sandra,
Thank you for visiting our blog Institute of Advanced Spine Surgery.
In your case, it will depend on the stability of the spine. Numerous factors must be studied to decide whether to apply the endoscopy technique or a prosthesis/fixation.
You can request an appointment with our spinal traumatologists if you wish.
All the best.
Good evening: I have an order for “Computed tomography of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral segments, complement to myelography, (each segment) (879205)
and another «Computed tomography of the spine cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral segments for each level (three spaces) (879201)
This was due to unspecified low back pain. In Diaxme they tell me that it is poorly formulated. Could you please explain and help me with this?
Hello Marco, we are sorry that we cannot help you since we do not know what you need, what pathologies you have or why the tests have been requested. You will need to talk to your traumatologist.
Hello, I have L4 compressed, what risk can I suffer?
Hi sweetie,
If the injury is severe, it could cause injuries at the finger extensor level.
Greetings.
Hello, good evening. I am going to have surgery on L1, L2 L3 L4 L5 S1. What risk am I running and what is the recovery?
Hello Miguel Angel,
Rehabilitation is essential to achieve recovery from 100%. In your case, it would be necessary to see what intervention will be performed, what method will be used and what procedure has been indicated to evaluate the recovery time.
Greetings
Hello good morning, I have a question. I have a problem in the spine at T12-L2-L3-L4-L5 with a decrease in the intervertebral space and osteophytes. What treatment should I consider?
Hello Cynthia,
In order to determine the most appropriate treatment for your case, our specialists would need to evaluate your studies and medical history in detail. Each case is unique, and an accurate diagnosis is essential to design an appropriate treatment plan.
If you wish, you can schedule an appointment with our team by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings.
What does column s1 mean l1-l2- ,l2 -l3 – l4-y l4 l5
Hello Ulises,
The letter indicates the area of the spine (cervical, lumbar, sacral) and the number is the vertebra number. So for example "l1" is the first vertebra of the lumbar spine.
Greetings
They detected an anterolisthesis in L5 over S1. An Angiolipoma in L3. Anterior marginal osteophytosis. Dehydration of intervertebral discs. Global disc pseudoprotusion that intrudes into both neuroforamina in L5 S1. Global disc protrusion that enters both neuroforamenes in L4 L5. Left posterocentral and lateral disc protrusion that enters the ipsilateral neuroforamen in L3 L4. Left posterolateral disc protrusion in L2 L3. And general interface degenerative signs. With this result, what do you think the traumatologist who has to see me will think, and what would you recommend to me, thank you very much.
Hello Juan Carlos,
We are missing some information to give you a medical opinion.
You can make an appointment by calling 91 005 39 00 and one of our specialists will assist you.
Greetings
Hello, I have a crack in L 2, how serious and dangerous can it be? I worry a lot
Hello Lluliza,
The severity of the fissure depends on many factors, but it is important that you check it urgently with a specialist.
You can make an appointment by calling (+34) 910 053 900.
Greetings
Hello, my husband has a fissure in the L2 vertebra.
He fell from a ladder, he is 83 years old.
They have sent him a corset and they cannot do an MRI because he has a pacemaker
How long should you stay in bed for recovery?
Has a lot of pain
We live in Peru
Hello Guillermo,
It depends on the injury, your husband's physical condition, and the rehabilitation he is undergoing.
For more information you can make an appointment by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
Merhaba L5-s1 omurumda fıtık var iki gündür yürüyemiyorum, ayaklarımın üzerinde duramıyorum ve şiddetli ağrılarım var.
Merhaba Sattuf,
Size danışarak durumunuzu incelemekten memnuniyet duyarız.
Randevu almak için +34 91 005 39 00 numaralı telefonu arayabilirsiniz.
Saygılarımla.
Hello, I have had my fifth vertebra separated from my coccyx since birth. I have a degree of disability since I cannot work due to the pain.
Hello, Elizabeth,
I am sorry to hear about your situation. Given your chronic pain and separation of the fifth vertebra and tailbone, it is crucial to maintain pain management with your physician. Consider physical therapy, pain management, or consulting with a spine specialist to explore additional options.
You can make an appointment with our specialists by calling +34 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
Bonjour
Le résultat du scanner fait au pais en Afrique donnait: Hernie discale foraminale droite L4-L5 et Lésions dégénératives spondyliennes débutant en L1 à L5.
4 mois après j'ai fait un IRM en France qui donne: arthrose zygapophysaire prédominant aux three derniers étages et rétrécissement foraminal bilatéral modéré aux three derniers étages.
Question :
*Ces deux résultats sont-ils les mêmes?
* If not, what is the explanation of this change in status in 4 months?
*Ce changement de résultat explain-t-il une amélioration ou une détérioration?
*Which results of these two exams are reliable?
Bonjour,
See our contacts at cliquant ici pour demander un rendez-vous et traiter votre cas en privé.
Greetings
Good evening, I have disc protrusions L2-L3 to L5-S1 in L2-L3 is posterior lateral on the right which has a migrated disc component cephalad.
Hello Aldo,
It is advisable to evaluate your symptoms with a specialist to determine the appropriate treatment. Schedule an appointment by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
Hello, I have a broken L5 and they don't tell me if surgery is necessary or if it will heal with time. I'm from Honduras.
I was diagnosed with 3 herniated discs from L1 to S2 and I would like to know why the doctors did not want to operate on me.
Hello Jose,
Treatment for herniated discs depends on several factors, including the severity of symptoms, age, medical history, and response to conservative treatments. In many cases, nonsurgical options such as physical therapy, medications, or lifestyle changes are chosen first before considering surgery.
Each case is unique, and doctors may have determined that surgery is not necessary at this time or that the benefits of conservative treatments are sufficient to improve your situation. If you wish, you can schedule an appointment with our specialists to evaluate your studies and discuss the best treatment options for your case.
Greetings.
Oh, I was also diagnosed with degenerative lumbar disc disease.
I was diagnosed with a pubic symphysis fracture. What are the most common procedures for repairing it?
Hello Dora,
Treatment for a pubic symphysis fracture depends on multiple factors, such as the severity of the injury and the patient's general condition. The most common procedures generally include conservative management with rest, physical therapy, and analgesia, although in more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
To determine the most appropriate approach, our team will evaluate your studies. You can schedule an appointment by calling 910 05 39 00.
Greetings.
Good afternoon, my name is Larry. I had a motorcycle accident and suffered a severe blow to my back. According to the X-rays, I was fine, but a CT scan determined two small fractures, one in the L1 and L2 vertebrae. They sent me to buy a TLSOO corset. For 3 months. They didn't send me to take calcium or anything, just good nutrition. That injury heals without surgery. Just with absolute rest.
Hello Larry,
Thank you for sharing your case. If fractures of the L1 and L2 vertebrae are not displaced or neurologically compromised, they are usually treated conservatively, as you have been advised to do with the use of a TLSO brace and rest.
In many cases, these types of injuries can heal without surgery, as long as medical advice is followed and movements that could aggravate the fracture are avoided. Calcium supplements are not always prescribed if the tests and your general condition don't require them, although maintaining a good diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is essential to promote bone healing.
However, it's important to maintain medical follow-up throughout the healing process to ensure bone healing is progressing properly. If you notice any changes in sensation, strength, or persistent severe pain, we recommend that you report it to your doctor immediately.
We wish you a speedy recovery.
I'm going to have surgery on T12 and L1 vertebrae, arthrodesis. How bad could it be? I have tuberculosis in the T12 and a burst in L1. I'm very afraid of the outcome. I've never had surgery. Is it safe to have surgery or can I get better?
Hello Alejandro,
Thank you for sharing your situation. Surgery is usually indicated in cases of serious injuries like the ones you mention, with the goal of stabilizing the spine and preventing further complications. Each case is unique, so it's essential that a specialist assess your overall condition and clearly explain the risks and benefits. If you wish, you can request an appointment for our specialists to evaluate your case. We'd be happy to help you.
Greetings.