vertebral column

column /col·umn/ (kol´um) an anatomical part in the form of a pillar-like structure.

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anal columns  vertical folds of mucous membrane at the upper half of the anal canal.

anterior column 

1. the anterior portion of the gray substance of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn.

2. palatoglossal arch.

columns of Bertin  renal c's.

column of Burdach  fasciculus cuneatus of the spinal cord.

Clarke's column  thoracic c.

enamel columns  adamantine prisms.

column of Goll  fasciculus gracilis of the spinal cord.

gray columns  the longitudinally oriented parts of the spinal cord in which the nerve cell bodies are found, comprising the gray substance of the spinal cord.

lateral column of spinal cord  the lateral portion of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn; present only in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions.

columns of Morgagni  anal c's.

posterior column 

1. the posterior portion of gray substance of the spinal cord, in transverse section seen as a horn.

2. palatopharyngeal arch.

rectal columns  anal c's.

renal columns  inward extensions of the cortical substance of the kidney between contiguous renal pyramids.

spinal column  vertebral c.

thoracic column  a column of cells in the posterior gray column of the spinal cord, extending from the eighth cervical segment to the third or fourth lumbar segment.

vertebral column  the rigid structure in the midline of the back, composed of the vertebrae.

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vertebral column

n.

See spinal column.

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Vertebral column

The vertebral column, also called the spinal column or spine, consists of a series of vertebrae connected by ligaments. It provides a supporting axis for the body and protects the spinal cord. The vertebral column consists of seven cervical vertebrae in the neck, followed by 12 thoracic vertebrae that connect to the ribs, five lumbar vertebrae in the lower back, the sacrum, and the coccyx.

Mentioned in: Coccyx Injuries

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vertebral column,

the flexible structure that forms the longitudinal axis of the skeleton. In the adult it includes 26 vertebrae arranged in a straight line from the base of the skull to the coccyx. The vertebrae are separated by intervertebral disks. They provide attachment for various muscles such as the iliocostalis thoracis and the longissimus thoracis that give the column strength and flexibility. In the adult the five sacral and four coccygeal vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum and the coccyx. The average length of the vertebral column in men is about 71 cm. The cervical part measures about 12.5 cm, the thoracic part about 28 cm, the lumbar part about 18 cm, and the sacrum and the coccyx about 12.5 cm. The vertebral column in women measures approximately 61 cm. Several curves in the column increase its strength, such as the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic curves. The cervical curve is convex ventrally from the apex of the dens to the middle of the second thoracic vertebra and is the least marked of all the curves. The thoracic curve, concave ventrally, starts at the middle of the second and ends at the middle of the twelfth thoracic vertebra. The lumbar curve, more pronounced in women than in men, begins at the middle of the last thoracic vertebra and ends at the sacrovertebral angle. The pelvic curve starts at the sacrovertebral articulation and ends at the point of the coccyx. The thoracic and the sacral curves constitute primary curves, present during fetal life; the cervical and lumbar curves constitute secondary curves, which develop after birth. Also called spinal column, spine. See also vertebra, vertebral canal.

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vertebral

of or pertaining to a vertebra.

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vertebral abscess

commonly associated with navel infection in the young. Usually infection delivered by the hematogenous route to the cervical or lumbar vertebral bodies or to meninges. Compression of the spinal cord by the abscess or a pathological fracture causes paraplegia or quadriplegia depending on location. See also vertebral osteomyelitis (below).

vertebral asymmetry

a contributing factor in enzootic equine incoordination.

vertebral body

see vertebra.

vertebral body osteosclerosis

occurs together with vertebral osteophyte development in old bulls with thyroid C-cell tumors.

vertebral canal

see spinal canal.

vertebral column

see spinal column.

complex vertebral malformation (CVM)

a recently recognized autosomal recessive lethal defect in Holstein cattle. Produces early embryonic death, late term abortions, premature birth and neonatal mortality in liveborn calves. The morphological expression of CVM is wide but vertebral (cervical and thoracic) malformation and arthrogryposis (carpal and tarsal joints) are almost always present. Vertebral malformations may be clinically apparent in some calves and can be detected by radiography. A wide spectrum of other congenital defects may be present.

vertebral curves

the cervical, thoracic and lumbar curves.

vertebral exostosis

may be the result of fractures, and in pigs, hypovitaminosis A. May cause compression of spinal cord and paralysis.

vertebral fracture

often due to minor trauma in bone weakened by osteoporosis or osteomyelitis. In neonates may be dystocia-related. Usually causes acute onset of flaccid paralysis.

vertebral instability

see canine wobbler syndrome.

vertebral joints

are of two types, symphyseal between the vertebral bodies, and synovial between the facets of the neural arch.

vertebral malformation

includes block vertebra and defective alignment such as scoliosis, kyphosis, torticollis. See also complex vertebral malformation (above).

vertebral osteomyelitis

results in pathological fracture causing acute paralysis, or spinal cord abscess causing slower onset paralysis. Hematogenesis spread from omphalophlebitis is common so that disease is most often seen in young patients.

vertebral osteophytes

see spondylosis deformans.

vertebral stenosis

compression of the spinal cord by a vertebral canal which has too small a diameter.

vertebral subluxation

largely restricted to the cervical vertebrae where looser ligaments permit more intervertebral movement.

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Patient discussion about vertebral column.

Q. Anyone have knowledge of cancer in the spine? Doctors think my 40 year old brother has. My brother has been undergoing test and treatnment for back problems since a vehicle accident in August. The did a test last week and Monday said they saw 4 nodules they think are cancer, his doctor said everytime he had seen this it was cancer. I am devestated right now but trying to stay positive. I am sure you will notice it on the site b/c I know it is affecting me and the stress and worry has the fibromyalgia kicking in at full speed:-( PLEASE anything you can tell me would be a help!

A. Thank you for the answer and the prayers!

Q. Has anyone had a spine fusion that failed? Or hardware that failed?

A. Haven't experienced it myself, but here (http://www.spine-health.com/forum/treatments/back-surgery-and-neck-surgery) you may find a discussion about it.

Q. i had had back sergrey about 5 and a half years ago for my spine to stratghen it. i had had back sergrey about 5 and a half years ago for my spine to stratghen it, i'm still having problems, i'm still having prblems with it. my right shoulder gives out and gets a lot of pain any one know what i should do about it, i've tryed everything i can think of

A. Have you tried alternative medicine, like acupuncture to relieve the pain? I heard a lot of people who said it helps them.