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What cushions the vertebrae of the spine?
Intervertebral disks: These flat, round cushions sit between the vertebrae and act as the spine’s shock absorbers. Each disk has a soft, gel-like center (the nucleus pulposus) surrounded by a flexible outer ring (the annulus). Intervertebral disks are under constant pressure.
What is a flexible spine called?
Cervical spine It is the most flexible and mobile part of the spine, enabling you to move your head freely from side to side and up and down.
Do discs in each vertebrae act as a cushion?
The intervertebral discs are flat, round “cushions” that act as shock absorbers between each vertebra in your spine. There is one disc between each vertebra. Each disc has a strong outer ring of fibers called the annulus, and a soft, jelly-like center called the nucleus pulposus.
Is the lumbar vertebrae flexible?
Although the spine is made up of a chain of bones, it is flexible due to elastic ligaments and spinal disks.
What is it called when you have an extra vertebrae?
Sacralization is a common irregularity of the spine, where the fifth vertebra is fused to the sacrum bone at the bottom of the spine. The fifth lumbar vertebra, known as L5, may fuse fully or partially on either side of the sacrum, or on both sides. Sacralization is a congenital anomaly that occurs in the embryo.
How are the vertebrae joined together?
The facet joints link the vertebrae together and give them the flexibility to move against each other. Each vertebra has a hole in the center, so when they stack on top of each other they form a hollow tube that holds and protects the entire spinal cord and its nerve roots.
What are the cushions of cartilage between the vertebrae called?
What are the cushions of cartilage between the vertebrae of the spine called? The fibrocartilage cushions between the vertebrae in the column are named for their positions along the vertebral bodies, and are called the intervertebral disks.
What connects the vertebrae of the spine together?
In the center of each vertebra is a large opening, called the spinal canal, through which the spinal cord and nerves pass. The vertebrae are held together by groups of ligaments, fibrous tissues that connect bone to bone.
What is the lumbar spine made up of?
Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae that are stacked on top of each other. Disks between the vertebrae work like cushions to allow the vertebrae to rotate and move without the bones rubbing against each other. The lumbar vertebrae and disks are at the bottom of your spine.
What are the parts of the spine and their functions?
Key parts of your spine include vertebrae (bones), disks, nerves and the spinal cord. The spine supports your body and helps you walk, twist and move. The disks that cushion vertebrae may compress with age or injury, leading to a herniated disk.