What is the anatomical position of the spinal canal?
The vertebral canal is composed of the vertebral foramen located in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae. The vertebral or spinal canal typically ends at the level of the L2 vertebra, where the spinal cord gives off multiple branching spinal nerve and nerve rootlets known as the cauda equina.
What is the anatomical term for spine?
The spine is also referred to as the vertebral column, spinal column, or backbone. TOP.
What anatomical features and structures improve stability of the lumbar spine?
The anterior band of the iliolumbar ligament is a well-developed, broad band. The iliolumbar ligaments play an important role in the stability of the lumbosacral junction by restricting both side flexion and rotational movement at the L5–S1 joint and forward sliding of L5 on the sacrum.
What is the position of lumbar spine?
The lumbar spine is the third region of the vertebral column, located in the lower back between the thoracic and sacral vertebral segments.
Why is the body of a lumbar vertebrae so large?
There are 5 lumbar vertebrae (denoted as L1-L5) found in adult humans, and they are situated beneath the thoracic vertebrae, They are the largest, in terms of size, out of all the vertebrae because the lumbar vertebrae must be able to support the weight of the body when a person is standing due to the effects of …
Why is the lumbar vertebrae the largest?
Where does the lumbar spine start?
The lumbar spine is the lower back that begins below the last thoracic vertebra (T12) and ends at the top of the sacral spine, or sacrum (S1).
What do the nerves in the lumbar spine control?
L1 spinal nerve provides sensation to the groin and genital regions and may contribute to the movement of the hip muscles. L2, L3, and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of the thigh and inner side of the lower leg. These nerves also control movements of the hip and knee muscles.
Which is the correct alignment of the spine?
This information relates to normal spinal alignment. The spine is a series of building blocks called vertebra stacked one on top of another, separated in the front by the discs and in the back by the facets. From the front view, the spine should be straight with the center of the head sitting on a plumb line directly over the pelvis.
Where does the spinal cord end in the lumbar spine?
Spinal tendons attach muscles to the vertebrae and together work to limit excessive movement. Lumbar spinal ligaments support the low back and help limit excessive movement. Photo Source: Shutterstock.com. The spinal cord ends between the first and second lumbar vertebrae (L1-L2).
What is the structure and function of the lumbar vertebrae?
The function of the structures of the lumbar spine are to protect and support the spinal cord and spinal nerves. The spinal nerves pass through a large hole (foramen) in the center of each vertebrae, which when lined up is called the spinal canal.
What are the functions of the L4-L5 spinal segment?
Together with the intervertebral disc, joints, nerves, and soft tissues, the L4-L5 spinal motion segment provides a variety of functions, including supporting the upper body and allowing trunk motion in multiple directions. 1 The lumbar spine has several distinguishing characteristics. Watch: Lumbar Spine Anatomy Video