Kičmeni stup ili spinalna kolumna pruža se od lubanje do zdjelice i čine ju 33 samostalne kosti koje nazivamo kralješci. Oni su posloženi jedan na drugi te su podijeljeni u 4 regije.

Ligaments are fibrous bands or sheets of connective tissue linking two or more bones, cartilages, or structures together. One or more ligaments provide stability to a joint during rest and movement. Excessive movements such as hyper–extension or hyper–flexion, may be restricted by ligaments. Further, some ligaments prevent movement in certain directions.

Muscles are named according to their shape, location, or a combination. They are further categorized according function such as flexion, extension, or rotation. Muscles and ligaments work together to support the spine, hold it upright, and control mo...

Nerves control the body’s functions including the vital organs, sensation, and movement. The nervous system receives information and initiates an appropriate response. It is affected by internal and external factors (i.e. stimulus). Nerves follow t...

Bones are organs composed of hard living tissue providing structural support to the body – it’s scaffolding. It is a hard matrix of calcium salts deposited around protein fibers. Minerals make bone rigid and proteins (collagen) provide strength and elasticity.

A joint is where two or more bones are joined. Joints allow motion (articulation). The joints in the spine are commonly called Facet Joints. Other names for these joints are Zygapophyseal or Apophyseal Joints.

The Human Skeleton is the body's framework or scaffolding system. Skeletal bones are classified as long, short, flat, or irregular and vary in length, width, and depth. The bones in the spine are irregular in shape and provide places to connect to ot...

The Thoracic spine is located in the chest area and contains 12 vertebrae. The ribs connect to the thoracic spine and protect many vital organs...

To help you understand back pain, the following brief and illustrated anatomy lesson is provided.

The cervical spine begins at the base of the skull. Seven vertebrae make up the cervical spine with eight pairs of cervical nerves. The individual cervical vertebrae are abbreviated C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7. The cervical nerves are also abbreviated; C1 through C8.