THE SPINE
Anatomy > Primary Spinal Function
The primary functions of the spine include:
- Protect the spinal cord, nerve roots, and internal organs
- Provide flexibility of motion
- Provide structural support and balance for upright posture. The spine bears the load of the head, shoulders and arms, and upper body. The upper body weight is then distributed to the hips and legs. The spine attempts to keep the body's weight balanced evenly over the pelvis. This reduces the amount of work required by the spinal muscles and can eliminate muscle fatigue and back pain.
The spinal cord is an extension of the brain. Just as the brain is encased within the skull, the spinal cord is protected by the spinal column. It is also covered by the same three membranes (meninges) as the brain and bathed by the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid. The spinal cord and the nerves which branch off it are the essential pathway for transmitting information to and from the brain and the rest of the body. Bodily functions, sensory input and movement all depend on impulses travelling up and down the spinal cord.