Your spine consists of 24 bones called vertebrae that sit one on top of the other to form a column.  The spine is divided into 7 cervical vertebra (in the neck), 12 thoracic vertebrae in the chest and 5 lumbar vertebrae at the base of the back.  The spine sits on a wedged shaped bone called the sacrum, that in turn rests within your pelvic bones.  Sandwiched between each of your vertebrae are discs.  These discs attach firmly to the vertebrae and consist of rings of fibrous tissue that surround a jelly like core.  The discs allow movement between the individual vertebrae and also act as shock absorbers.

The spine forms a protective channel for the spinal cord, which runs from the brain into a canal running between the vertebrae.  Pairs of nerves branch of from the spinal cord and emerge between small gaps between individual vertebrae.  These nerves carry the signals that control of the functions of the body.

The individual vertebrae consist of:

• A body at the front which carries our bodyweight and attaches to the discs.
• An arch that contains the spinal cord
• Bony projections at the back which allow for the attachment of muscles, tendons and ligaments.
• Small guide rail joints between the adjacent vertebrae (also at the back) which help control movement.
• Ligaments hold the vertebrae and discs firmly together in a column. Muscles attach to the vertebrae via tendons. Muscles contract and pull on the vertebrae to maintain posture and create movement.

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