It protects, supports, acts as an attachments for your muscles, and is a shock absorber CERVICAL SPINE It has seven vertebrae running from the top of the head down to the shoulders. As we discussed last week, its main job is to hold your head in the upright position and it is very flexible moving in all directions. THORACIC SPINE It consists of 12 vertebrae and it lies in the middle of the body from the shoulders to the base of the spine just above the pelvis. It does move forwards and backwards (flexion and extension) but this is limited. Its main function is to rotate the upper part of the body. It is also attached to the ribs so any breathing can also bring the thoracic vertebrate into play. LUMBAR SPINE This has five vertebrae and it lies from the pelvis downwards, its main function is to move forwards and backwards (flexion and extension). They are also the main weight-bearing vertebrae, as they are situated at the base of the spine, there is some rotation, but this is not their main function SACRAL VERTEBRAE There are five sacral vertebrae, they lie under the five lumber vertebrae and sit on top of the coccyx (a small bone right at the top and in between the crack of the bottom). Their function has minimal effect on the movement of your spine. In fact as a child starts to grow they eventually fuse together. IN BETWEEN THE VERTEBRAE There is the annulus inside which is the nucleus which is like toothpaste in substance. At the sides and along the back of the vertebrae are the cartilages which hold it together as they interlock into one another. The little bony pieces on the edge which help the vertebrae interlock are facet joints.