The spine consists of a chain of bony rings called vertebrae which provide support for our whole body, linking head, shoulders, chest and pelvis. It is strong (to support the body weight), supple (discs between the vertebra absorb shock) and flexible (to allow turning and bending). Because the spinal cord is such an important part of our nervous system, it is surrounded and protected by the spine. 

There are 33 vertebrae which are divided into these major sections:
 

CERVICAL (neck) which has 7 vertebrae.

THORACIC (chest) which has 12 vertebrae.

LUMBAR (lower back) which has 5 vertebrae.

SACRAL section which has 5 vertebrae.

TAIL BONE/COCCYX which has 4 vertebrae (fused together). 

The spinal cord is about as thick as a finger and some twenty inches long. It is a part of your nervous system, made up of bundles of nerve fibres carrying messages from the brain to all parts of the body. The messages may be for motion or for feeling and sensation, such as heat cold or pain.

These nerve fibres make up the communication systems of the body. The spinal cord can be compared to a telephone cable; it connects the main office (the brain) to many individual offices (parts of the body) by telephone lines (nerve fibres) and is the pathway that messages use to travel between the brain and other parts of the body. 

Cervical nerves (nerves in the neck) supply movement and

feeling to the arms, neck and upper trunk

Thoracic nerves (nerves in the upper back) supply the trunk and

abdomen

Lumbar and sacral nerves (from the lower back) supply the legs,

the bladder, bowel and sexual organs. 


Information provided by Dr Angela Gall, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine