Anatomy of the Human Spine

Dr. Stuart Remer has served as a spine and orthopedic surgeon for more than 20 years. Particularly experienced in the surgical treatment of scoliosis, Dr. Stuart Remer draws on an in-depth knowledge of spinal structure and function.

The human spine consists of four basic regions. Closest to the head is the cervical spine, which consists of seven individual vertebrae that stack atop one another with a slight inward curvature. The top two cervical vertebrae facilitate forward and backward bend, known as flexion and extension, as well as horizontal rotation of the head. The lower five vertebrae allow for lateral flexion that brings the ear to the shoulder.

Below the cervical spine are the 12 vertebrae of the thoracic spine, which together form an outward C curve. These lie atop the five vertebrae of the lumbar spine, which has an inward curve similar in shape to that of the cervical spine.

Although the lumbar spine is generally more mobile than the thoracic, both sets of vertebrae allow for all four types of movement, including flexion and extension as well as lateral flexion and rotation. Flexion has a significantly greater range of motion as compared to other types of movement.

The lowest section of the spine is known as the sacrum. It consists of five fused vertebrae that together form a portion of the pelvis, while the coccyx extends downward below it. The fusion of these vertebrae means that there is no motion between bones, though there is some in the sacroiliac joints that connect this portion of the spine to the lateral pelvic bones.