Complex structure of the human spine is necessaryto maintain equilibrium while walking and depreciation of each movement. Therefore, it consists of separate vertebrae, movably connected to each other and separated by intervertebral discs. But not all departments of the spine have such a structure. Sacral vertebrae are separated only in children and adolescents. Approximately to 18 years they join together, forming a solid bone. It is called a sacrum, and it has a special structure. This department is isolated separately, but sometimes combined with the lumbar and coccygeal, as they perform similar functions.
The spine of a person is a complex system,consisting of separate vertebrae, movably connected to each other with the help of joints of special structure and set of ligaments. To cushion movements when walking between the vertebrae, soft disks are placed. They protect these elements from destruction, and the brain from shaking. Such a structure provides a person's mobility, the ability to perform slopes, turns, and balance while walking.
The danger of such a complex structure is thatinside each vertebra passes the spinal canal, a lot of nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, it is so important to maintain the spine in the right position and protect it from injuries. The most common injuries are dislocations or displacement of vertebrae, disc herniation, deformation of tissues.
In the structure of the spine, five departments are distinguished:
But because of the structural features of the lower sections of theirsometimes unite. When they say "vertebrae of the lumbosacral spine", often refer to the sacrum, and coccyx, and lower back. After all, they perform similar functions, and even illnesses and injuries are similar to them.
This is a special part of the human ridge.This department consists of five vertebrae. They have a complex structure and perform very important functions. The sacral vertebrae are connected movably only up to 14-15 years. After this age, they begin to gradually fuse. This process begins from below, at the point of connection with the coccyx. Finally, the sacrum turns into a single bone to 25 years. The sacral and coccygeal vertebrae in an adult person are triangles facing downward. This is the base of the spine, ensuring its connection with the pelvis and lower limbs.
This department is the foundation of the spinerights. Therefore, the structure of the sacral vertebrae is slightly different from the rest. They have underdeveloped ribs and fused transverse processes. And in the upper part there are special ear-shaped surfaces necessary for connection with the pelvic bones. This joint is called the sacroiliac joint. Due to the fact that the sacrum is not as mobile as the rest of the spine, it does not have intervertebral discs. But there are a lot of very tight ligaments, which ensure the strength of the connection of bones.
In the sacral bone, the following parts are distinguished:
The sacrum is the backbone of the spine, the place of its connection with the lower part of the body. Because of this location and the functions performed, this department of the spine has several features:
Крестец принимает на себя всю тяжесть тела.It is designed to provide human stability during walking and a strong connection with the pelvic bones. In addition, a special structure of the sacral region is needed in order to protect the lower part of the spinal canal. To communicate with the pelvis and lower limbs, the vertebrae of the sacral section have several symmetrically located apertures. They include nerve fibers and blood vessels. The sacral canal runs along the entire length of the bone and is slightly bent due to the special structure of the sacrum.
So, all the sacral vertebrae have grown together.The fact that they were once separate, reminiscent of five ridges, passing through the back of the sacrum. These are small tubercles arising from the fusion of the vertebrae, their spinous, transverse processes, as well as the upper and lower articular processes. This structure provides protection of the nerve roots and blood vessels.
Even more interesting structure has a tailbone.It consists of 3-5 vertebrae, but underdeveloped and fully fused together. The shape of the tailbone resembles a bird's beak. A feature of it is that in men it connects to the sacrum completely motionless. And in women, they can be bent back so that, during childbirth, to ensure the baby’s passage through the birth canal. The coccyx vertebrae also perform important functions. Besides the fact that they are the backbone of the spine and provide support for movement and bending, there are many nerve roots to the pelvic organs and lower extremities.
Despite the strength of the sacral bone, as wellits fixed position between the pelvic ring, this section is also susceptible to damage and injury. The movable joints here are located only at the junction of the 1st sacral vertebra with the 5th lumbar vertebra, and also where the remaining lateral processes connect with the pelvic bones. It is in these places that injuries occur most often. In the department only bruises or fractures of the sacral vertebrae are possible.
Due to the nature of the structure in the sacrum areaIt is the most common damage that occurs in other parts of the spine. Since there are no intervertebral discs, there are no such diagnoses as "hernia" or "discogenic sciatica of the sacral part". It is also impossible the displacement of the sacral vertebra in adults, as these elements are firmly fused. And in children it happens very rarely because of the special strength of the ligaments and the protection of the sacrum by the pelvic bones.
Why then is the sacrum too prone to injury? This can be explained by several reasons:
These pathologies can lead to malnutrition.bone tissue and their increased fragility. But most often fractures of the sacrum occur when exposed to a large force, for example, in road accidents, falls from a height, strong shocks.
The main feature of damage to this departmentspine is that a person even with a broken bone of the sacrum can move. Very strong ligaments connecting the sacrum with the pelvic bones, help to maintain the stability of the body. But since this is still part of the spine, the increased activity of the injured person during an injury can lead to damage to the spinal cord, rupture of blood vessels or nerve roots. The consequences of this relationship may be urination disorders, complications of the pelvic organs, paralysis of the lower extremities. If the fracture occurred in a young woman, and she was not provided timely medical care, in the future she will not be able to give birth to a child on her own.
After any injury, especially if there is a suspicionfor a fracture of the sacrum, you must contact the medical facility. Independently, before rendering professional assistance, you can apply cold to the site of injury, and in case of severe pain, take anesthetic. It is not recommended to warm the place of injury, as this will increase the swelling and inflammatory process, which can lead to bleeding and other complications. It is better for the victim to lie on a flat surface and try not to move.
