As most the people who use computer frequently will experience either neck or back, we use the anatomy of the spine to illustrate the basic anatomy of the body.

Importance of normal curvature of the spine

Nerve

Ligament

Muscles

What is vertebral column?

The spinal column (or vertebral column) extends from the skull to the pelvis and is made up of 33 individual bones termed vertebrae. The vertebrae are stacked on top of each other group into five regions. The spinal column includes intervertebral discs, nerve, ligament and muscles.

Term	No. of Vertebrae	Body Area
Cervical	7	Neck
Thoracic	12	Chest
Lumbar	5 or 6	Lower back
Sacrum	5 (fused)	Pelvis
Coccyx	3	Tailbone

Importance of normal curvature of the spine

The sagittal view of the spine should be ‘S’ shape. The normal curvature should be maintained in order to

· Maintain muscle balance

· Decrease musculo-skeletal overuse

Intervertebral discs

The intervertebral discs are fibrocartilaginous cushions serving as the spine's shock absorbing system, which protect the vertebrae, brain, and nerve. The inner ring of the intervertebral disc contains a hydrated gel–like matter that resists compression. The amount of water in the nucleus varies throughout the day depending on activity.

Nerve

Nerves control the body’s functions including the vital organs, sensation, and movement. The nervous system receives information and initiates an appropriate response. The spinal cord provides a means of communication between the brain and peripheral nerves.

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Ligament

Ligaments are fibrous bands or sheets of connective tissue linking two or more bones, cartilages, or structures together. It also provides stability to a joint during rest and movement. It also prevents excessive movements

Muscles

Muscles are attached to the bone to control the movement of the joint. The deep postural muscles are important to the spine which helps us to maintain our posture in sitting, standing or walking.

Deep muscles of the back

Adopted from Gray’s Anatomy