What is the function of the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae? Spinal column of the person: structure

Why does a person need a spine? Just think about how important it is for the body. After all, in fact, it is a kind of support of the body, consisting of 32 or 34 vertebrae. All of them are connected to each other with the help of joints, ligaments, intervertebral discs. The latter are the so-called cartilage. It is important to know the structure of the spine, so that when problems arise with it, they must be eliminated in a timely manner.

Human spine: anatomy and structure

This part of the human body is quite simple in structure, because it consists of only a few departments, each of which, in turn, includes a certain number of vertebrae (usually called from above):

• Cervical: consists of 7 vertebrae. It is important to note that the bone that is located on the back of the skull is not considered and is called the zero vertebra;
• Thoracic: consists of 12 vertebrae;
• Lumbar: consists of 5 vertebrae;
• Sacral department: consists of 5 vertebrae, which in an adult man grow together in the sacral bone;
• Coccygeal: consists of 3-5 vertebrae, which grow together into one coccygeal bone.

Many of us have repeatedly met in the medical literature the human spine. His photo demonstrates that the vertebrae are connected by disks, articular processes, ligaments (by the way, they are located in front, behind and on both sides of the vertebral bodies). Such a diverse mix of vertebrae and provides that mobility to the person to whom he was so generously endowed with nature. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail: the ligaments are certain restraints that can hold the body, and the muscles around the spine ensure maximum movement. If the load on them is high, there is a pain in the back and a general malaise.

What are the functions of the spine?

First you need to understand that each department of the spine performs certain tasks related to the normalization of the work of a particular area of your body. So, the functions of the spine of a person, divided into 5 divisions:

1. The most important role in this case is played by the thoracic department, it together with the ribs and the breastbone as a whole forms the thorax. I want to clarify that the ribs are separate bones that are attached to the spine, as if being its continuation. The thorax protects the organs and provides them with immobility. But due to the fact that there are joints between the ribs and the spine, we can freely breathe in and out.
2. It is important that between the vertebrae of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical divisions are special gaskets in the form of disks. For example, due to the fact that there are cervical intervertebral discs, a person is able to tilt his head in both directions.

Now it is advisable to note the functions of the spine as a whole:

• It serves as a certain shock absorber for falls, shocks, jolts;
• In the spine is the spinal cord, it is thanks to him that the body is a single whole (it connects the brain and all other parts of the body);
• Due to the fact that the human backbone connects the whole body, the skeleton acquires rigidity, and the head is easily held in an upright position;
• Man's mobility, which is necessary for him in life;
• It is on the spine that all the major muscles and hips are held.

What is the function of the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae?

For a start, it would be nice to understand what an intervertebral disc is. In simple words, it is a kind of layer between two adjacent vertebrae.

The shape is round, similar to a tablet. The structure of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral disc is very complicated.

The center occupies a pulpous nucleus, which is the cushioning element with each movement of the spine. This is because the structure is very elastic.

Note that the vertebrae, in spite of their mobility, do not move relative to each other at all. All due to the fact that around the nucleus in the intervertebral disc is located fibrous ring. Its structure is not simple due to the large number of different layers. Contains this ring of many fibers. All this is connected and crossed in three directions. Durable and durable. But due to the fact that intervertebral discs tend to wear off with time, the fibers can gradually turn into scars. Call such a disease with osteochondrosis. By the way, it often causes strong painful sensations. As a result, the fibrous ring can tear and then the surgical intervention is unlikely to be avoided.

An interesting fact is that through the intervertebral disc of an adult human, no blood vessels pass. Some may object and ask a question about how he then eats. This process occurs due to the penetration of oxygen and nutrients from the vertebrae, which are nearby (namely, from the vessels that permeate them). Therefore, drugs, which often strive to treat diseases associated with damage to the intervertebral disc, are simply useless. It is better to resort to laser plastic, then the effect will be 100%.

Based on the above features of the anatomy of the intervertebral disc, we can conclude on what function the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae perform. Firstly, they protect the spine from injuries with excessive physical exertion, falls, bumps, etc. Secondly, it is with the help of them that our body is flexible and capable of actively moving in different directions. It is important to know that the thickness of intervertebral discs can be different. It all depends on the spine department in which they are:

- Cervical section: 5-6 mm;

- thoracic region: the thinnest discs are 3-4 mm;

- lumbar: 10-12 mm.

Since in the cervical and lumbar spine has a physiological curvature forward, it must be understood that here the intervertebral discs will be slightly thicker.

If you look closely at the photo of the spine, you can easily see that the diameter of the intervertebral discs is more by 2-3 mm than the vertebrae themselves. I wonder if you knew that the length of a person's spine varies throughout the day. In the morning it is 1 cm longer than in the evening. This is explained by the fact that the day under the influence of gravity forces, the distance between the disks decreases, during the night everything comes back to normal. By the way, why does the structure of intervertebral discs change with age? This happens due to the fact that their absorbency deteriorates, they wear out, the spine becomes prone to damage. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to play sports as much as possible, spend time outdoors and eat right. Due to such simple rules, the intervertebral discs are well saturated with oxygen. Then there will be no talk of adulthood about any intervertebral hernia.

Bends in the spine - is it normal?

Yes, the doctors answer is unequivocally positive.

With the help of them a kind of springy effect is created, which promotes walking, running, jumping and other physical exercises. After all, the basic functions of the human spine are reduced to the creation of maximum mobility of the body. Imagine if there was a straight spine of a person. His photo clearly demonstrates the opposite, it is clear that the vertebrae formed something like a wave:

• Lordosis in the neck - the spine in this place is slightly bent forward;
• Kyphosis in the chest - the backbone here is curved back;
• Lordosis in the lumbar region: back the backbone arching forward;
• Kyphosis in the area of the sacrum: a small bend is seen back.

This is an absolutely natural kind of spine, and bends are considered its physiological feature.

Facet joints: anatomy. The intervertebral foramen

It is those processes that move away from the vertebrae, called joints. Their anatomy is simple. In addition to the fact that the vertebrae interconnect the intervertebral cartilaginous discs, facet joints play the same role. These processes (look like some arcs) are directed inwards, as if looking at each other. At their end, the articular cartilage is located. Its nutrition and lubrication is carried out at the expense of the fluid available inside the joint capsule. It ends the process of the joints. The main function of the facet joints is to provide a certain mobility of the human body.

Intervertebral (foraminous) apertures are created specially to pass veins and nerve roots through them. Their location is interesting: on both sides of each vertebra. They are formed with the help of articular processes, legs and bodies of two adjacent vertebrae.

How does the spine change with age?

Age anatomy and physiology is also characteristic of the spine. Although, it would seem, the spine is a rigid pillar, which is the basis of our entire body.

Of course, the structure of the cartilaginous tissue allows us to perform various movements, but nevertheless the phonetic is a strong base, and it is very strange that time is influencing it. Just want to note that this is a perfectly normal physiological feature of the human body. Throughout life, the human spine not only increases in length and collects a certain mass, but also undergoes significant changes:

• During the first months of life, any child is in a horizontal position, his spine is straight. Then there is a transition to an upright position, because of which the spine acquires characteristic physiological curves in its departments (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral);
• Over time, all cartilaginous tissue becomes bone. It is said that in this way the spine becomes stronger;

The structure of the intervertebral disc is also subject to significant changes.

Age anatomy and physiology of the human spine are characterized by two main indicators:

1. The growth of a person and the ratio of the proportions of his body throughout his life. There are certain averaged indicators that are considered the norm and can determine whether the spine is developing correctly. After all, in the first 20 years of a person's life, the spine grows at the fastest possible rate, which can cause various deviations and diseases. That is why the child in the first years of life should be shown to specialists for the prevention of various kinds of diseases.
2. Growth of the spine by segments on average for the year. This indicator is calculated by a special formula, allows also to evaluate the development of the spine.

The spinal-motor segment

The vertebral column of man has a certain functional unit, which is a vertebral-motor segment. In fact, this connection of two adjacent vertebrae together with ligaments, discs, joints and all the rest. Thus, we once again indicate the function of the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae. They are a special anchorage that allows a person to make various movements. Also, the mobility of the spine is created by the facet joints. Through special openings that run along the side of the spine, nerve endings and blood vessels stretch out. The spinal-motor segment is a set of interconnected elements. Violation of the work of one of them entails a lot of consequences. It can be manifested in two versions:

• Segmental blockade: adjacent vertebrae do not move, but the activity of the human body is carried out at the expense of other segments. This often causes pain syndrome;
• Segmental instability: the opposite situation, when the movements between adjacent vertebrae are excessive. In this case, not only there is pain, but the problem can hide much deeper: the nerve endings are affected.

Remember that any pain in the spine can occur either in one particular place, or at once everywhere. The lesion center in any case can be determined only with the help of special studies and consultations of a competent specialist.

Nerve endings and spinal cord

The vertebrae join also inside the spine thanks to the spinal cord, the basis of the central nervous system of man. Due to it (by means of incoming signals from the brain) the work of the whole organism is regulated. The spinal cord is a large thread consisting of a huge number of nerve fibers and endings. It is located in the so-called "dural sack", which is well protected from external influences by three different shells (soft, cobwebby, solid).

Around him is always present spinal fluid. Each section of the spine, and accordingly, all the muscles, tissues, organs and systems located around, are regulated by a certain area of the spinal cord.

Muscles located near the spine and their functions

It has already become clear that the basic functions of the spine are to ensure the movement of a person. This is due to the muscles that attach to the vertebrae. When we talk about back pain, we often do not even suspect that the problem is not in the spine or the discs. In fact, a certain muscle can be pulled. But complications in the spine can cause an involuntary contraction of adjacent muscles, i.e. In fact, the reverse situation. When such a spasm arises, lactic acid is produced in the muscle fibers (this is oxidized by glucose), caused by the lack of access to blood by oxygen. Such pain is very familiar to pregnant women. They experience it in labor during fights due to improper breathing. But if you just relax a little, and discomfort disappears, as the spasm disappears.

Problems with the spine

Initially, nature is all conceived in a completely different way. After all, no one imagined that modern women and men would become immobile creatures that are in the same (and for them absolutely uncomfortable) posture throughout the whole working day. The spine becomes numb, experiencing an incredible load. But everyone knows perfectly well one simple truth: movement is life, and it's hard to argue with this. Of course, there are still a lot of problems in this system that are caused by poor ecology, incorrect and unbalanced nutrition, wearing uncomfortable clothes and shoes, etc. Fix the situation is simple enough, you should follow a few simple tips:

• Regularly lead an active lifestyle. Physical culture and sport are the main assistants;
• Create comfort around yourself: comfortable furniture, clothes and shoes will help you relax during the working day;
• Prophylactically visit, for example, the orthopedist, who is able to visually examine the problems with the spine. Especially, it concerns small children.

Another pain in the back may be due to the fact that the intervertebral discs have worn off. Modern doctors like to talk about this practically to everyone. But in fact, this happens rarely. Degeneration of intervertebral discs can be caused by various causes, including excessive physical exertion and aging of tissues. Treatment usually involves surgical intervention.

What function do the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae, we clearly understood. They ensure proper movement to the person and, if possible, prevent damage to the spine. Do not think that the sudden pain in the spine will pass by itself. It can be quiet for a while, but this is only the first signal about big problems.

Do not be lazy to apply to experienced and competent specialists in a timely manner, which will help you prevent the development of serious diseases in the spine. After all, this is the basis of our whole body! It directly affects the health of the whole body and the carefree old age that everyone dreams about. Watch yourself and be healthy!