Spine – Not Just a Bone But a Support System of the Body

Spine is the support of the body. It is a stack of 33 individual bones one over the other. It is basically a column that helps us to stand upright. In fact, this is what helps us to bend and twist. Imagine yourself without a spine, structure less we would have been, like a lump of flesh. Another and most crucial task that a spine performs is protecting the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a cord formed by innumerable neurons running through the column carrying and transmitting signals from the brain to all across the body and vice versa. A healthy spine is constituted by strong muscles, bones, flexible tendons and ligaments, and sensitivity.

The column has a natural S-shaped curve that works like a coiled spring to absorb shock, maintain balance, and allow a range of motion. It can be divided into cervical (Neck), Lumbar (Low Back), Thoracic, sacral, and coccyx (tail bone).  It is the muscle that covers bone to give a complete structure the natural curve of the spine is maintained by abdominal and back muscles. Humans got their posture with the help of this complete structure involving our ability to stand, walk, sit, and lie. A man trained himself in a way that the least amount of strain is placed on the spine during movement or weight-bearing activities.

However, excess body weight, weak muscles, and other forces can change the spine's alignment:

• swayback - An abnormal curve of the lumbar spine is lordosis.

• hunchback - An abnormal curve of the thoracic spine is kyphosis, also called.

• An abnormal curve from side-to-side is called scoliosis.

Under serious accidents or gunshots or stabbing spinal cord might get injured resulting in a complete loss of sensation and mobility. Consult expert Dr. Mukesh Pandey MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Neurosurgery) Associate Director & Head of Department –Neurosurgery - Asian Hospital Faridabad.

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