The Spine, Structure, Function and Posture
Posture Posture is the alignment of the body parts, whether upright, sitting, or recumbent. It is described by the positions of the joints and body segments, and also in terms of the balance between the muscles crossing the joints. Impairments in the joints, muscles, or connective tissues may lead to faulty postures, or, conversely, faulty postures may lead to impairments in the joints, muscles, and connective tissues as well as symptoms of discomfort and pain. Many musculoskeletal complaints can be attributed to stresses that occur from repetitive or sustained activities when in a habitually faulty postural alignment. Structure and Function of the Spine Structure The structure of the spinal column consists of 33 vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 fused sacral, and 3 or 4 coccygeal) and their respective intervertebral discs. Articulating with the spine are the 12 pairs of ribs in the thoracic region, the cranium at the top of the spine at the occipital-atlas joint, an...