The Vertebral Column and Spinal Cord

Abstract

The different parts of the vertebral column have been described, cervical (p. 186), thoracic (p. 3), lumbar (p. 59), sacral and coccygeal (p. 62). An articulated column consists of the bony vertebrae and the fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs which form about one-quarter of the total height of the column. The column itself forms about two- fifths of the height of the whole body. Variations in total height reflect differences in the length of the lower limb much more than differences in the length of the vertebral column. The bodies of the vertebrae increase progressively in size from above downwards as far as the fifth lumbar vertebrae, below which they rapidly become smaller. This reflects the weight-bearing functions of the column and the transference of weight to the hip bones across the sacro-iliac joints.