Your back is constructed of a number of parts. 1) The Spinal Column Thirty-four bones stacked on top of one another and separated from each other by pads/discs. The column is held together by

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The Structure of Your Back

Your back is constructed of a number of parts.

1) The Spinal ColumnThirty-four bones stacked on top of one another and separated from each other by pads/discs. The column is held together by muscles and a band of fibrous tissue (Ligaments).The Spinal Column is divided up into sections, each section being related to a different function.a) The Neck Bones (Cervical Vertebrae)Seven bones at the top of the column that support and balance the neck.

b) Rib Cage Connectors (Thoracic Vertebrae)These Twelve bones are connected to the ribs, together forming the ribcage.c) Lower back (Lumbar Vertebrae)These five bones form the lower back and connect to the top of the buttocks.d) Bony Pelvis Structure (The Sacrum)These five bones are fused together and form, with the pelvis, a bony basin to protect the bladder and reproductive organs.e) Bony Tail (The Coccyx)Four bones fused together that form a tail, with no function.

2) The Separating Discs (Intervertebral Discs)These are the pads that separate the bones in the Spinal Column, they act as a shock absorbers and allow for compression and distortion along the spinal column.The centre of each disc is filled with a jelly like substance and is surrounded by tough elastic fibres, this construction acts like a balloon full of water allowing movement by moulding themselves into the space available.3) The Spinal CordThis is a cylindrical cord composed of blood vessels with an inner cord of nerve fibres, it runs for about 18ins (45cm) from the base of the brain to the Lumbar Vertebrae through the centre of the bony tube formed by the spinal column. It is bathed in fluid (Cerebrospinal fluid) which acts as a shock absorber protecting it from pressure.

At regular intervals spinal nerves branch off the cord and pass through gaps between the bones of the spinal column dividing into a network of smaller branches which supply different areas of the body.4) MusclesThe muscles of the back are arranged in several layers, no muscle crosses the midline-the spine, instead, each muscle has a matching muscle on the other side.a) The first and deepest layer are short and dense, extending only from one bone to the next. As long as the muscles on each side are of equal strength, they keep the bones in alignment and the spine stays stable and upright.

b) The next layer of muscles are strap shaped and mostly originate from the pelvis, from where they fan out and attach themselves to various bones including ribs and head. They are mostly concerned with fine adjustment and control of the large back muscles that control posture.c) The largest back muscles form the outer layer and are mainly broad triangular sheets of muscle that join the spine processes of the back bones to the shoulder blades and shoulder joints. These are powerful postural muscles and keep the trunk stable when you use your arms, especially when lifting.

The muscle that contracts to pull the body upright is in this layer.d) The abdominal muscles act as a counter to the back muscles by exerting a forward pull to balance the backward pull of the back muscles. They contract to allow the spine to bend by pulling the ribcage closer to the pelvis.This article was written by John Jarmola, a freelance consultant who helps businesses develop more healthy food products and advises on "Healthy Eating".

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