The Vertebral Column

consists of bones forming joints above & below.

Extends from the skull to apex (tip of the coccyx)

Forms the skeleton of the neck & back and the main part of the axial skeleton.

• protects the spinal column & nerves
• supports the weight of the body
• plays important role in posture, & locomotion (movement from one place to another)
• provides a partly rigid & flexible axis for the body

Vertebral column

33 vertebrae arranges in 5 regions

• 7 cervical--concave shape-most mobility
• 12 Thoracic--convex shape-least mobility
• 5 lumbar--concave, biggest vert. 
• 5 sacral--convex shape--fused
• 4 coxxygel--concave-3 to 5 fused

• Cervical--concave
• Thoracic--convex
• Lumbar--concave
• Sacral--convex

• -Least motion in the thoracic spine. 
• -Cervical spine is formed while infant is learning to hold their heads up.
• -Fetus & Womb is the Thoracic spine is formed.
• -Lumbar spine is formed when baby learns to crawl.

31 pairs of human spinal nerves.

Ventral & Dorsal roots.

Part of the Peripheral Nervous System.

Scoliosis is a lateral diviation and rotational deformity of the spine.

Can be idiopathic (no identifiable cause),

congenital, and neuromuscular.

affects the spines normal curvature, also shoulder and pelvic girdle, bones, cartilage & muscles.

Yoga can help if scoliosis is functional (more muscular).

Structural scoliosis (bone curvature very obvious) may not be as helpful.

In either case, yoga can help alleviate pain, and foster a sense of empowerment.