The difference between spine and lumbar vertebrae

The spine and lumbar spine are the most important parts of our body, but they are also the most vulnerable. Sometimes we may damage them when we do some actions, resulting in pain in the spine and lumbar spine. Some people cannot tell where the spine and lumbar spine are in the body. In fact, they are our waist and back. So what is the difference between the spine and lumbar spine?

Lumbar vertebrae: The vertebral bodies are relatively large; the spinous processes extend horizontally to the back in a plate-like manner, and the gaps between adjacent spinous processes are wide, which can be used for lumbar puncture. The articular surfaces of the articular processes are in the sagittal position. There are five lumbar vertebrae in the human body, and each lumbar vertebra consists of a vertebral body in the front and an accessory in the back. The inner edge of the vertebral plate is arched, and the vertebral arch and the posterior edge of the vertebral body form a vertebral foramen. The upper and lower vertebral foramina are connected to form a

The spinal canal contains the spinal cord and nerves, and the joint between the two vertebrae is the intervertebral disc.

It consists of two parts: the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus is located in the center of the intervertebral disc. It is a water-rich, jelly-like elastic protein. Surrounding the nucleus pulposus is the annulus fibrosus, which connects the two vertebrae together and firmly fixes the nucleus pulposus in the center. The spine, also known as the vertebral column or backbone, is composed of specially shaped vertebrae and intervertebral discs. It is located in the middle of the back, connected to the skull at the top, the ribs in the middle, and the lower end and hip bones form the pelvis. From top to bottom, there are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 1 sacrum (composed of 5 sacral vertebrae) and 1 coccyx (composed of 4 coccygeal vertebrae), totaling 24 independent vertebrae (in adults). A longitudinal spinal canal is formed inside the spine from top to bottom, which contains the spinal cord.

The spine is a bony structure consisting of a vertebral body, two pedicles, two lamina, two transverse processes, four articular processes and one spinous process. It is divided into cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacral vertebrae, and coccygeal vertebrae.

The spine is composed of 32 vertebrae and is the support and protector of the internal organs. It is the main structure for weight bearing, movement, shock absorption and balancing the limbs.

Lumbar disc herniation is a herniated disc caused by lumbar injury or strain, and ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune system disease that causes ankylosing and fusion of the spine. Generally, lumbar disc herniation will not develop into ankylosing spondylitis, so misdiagnosis is possible. In normal times, you should pay attention not to sit or stand for long periods of time, or bend over for a long time to lift heavy objects.

Lumbar disc herniation and ankylosing spondylitis are two completely different diseases. Lumbar disc herniation is mostly caused by long-term sitting, bumping or spraining, or lifting heavy objects, which causes the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to protrude and compress the nerves. If the pain is not very severe, conservative treatment can be used, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment, liver and kidney tonification, bone and muscle strengthening, acupuncture, manipulation, massage, and physical therapy. If the pain is very severe, a CT or MRI should be taken to understand the degree and location of the herniation, and surgical treatment may be required if necessary. Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease with a poor prognosis. Once diagnosed, treatment should be insisted on. Otherwise, the hip joint, sacroiliac joint, and entire spinal joint may eventually fuse, resulting in severe disability and inability to take care of oneself. Sufficient attention should be paid to this.