Meditation - The Vertebral Column
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The adult vertebral (spinal) column consists of 26 bones that are grouped as follows:
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7 cervical vertebrae in the neck
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12 thoracic vertebrae that articulate with the 12 pairs of ribs
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5 lumbar vertebrae of the lower back
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1 sacrum which is actually a fusion of 5 sacral vertebrae (fusion occurs from late teens to early 20's)
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1 coccyx or "tailbone" which is a fusion of 4 coccygeal vertebrae
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Intervertebral discs are located between adjacent vertebrae. These fibrocartilage discs form strong joints and absorb spinal compression shock.
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Spinal disorders include:
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Herniated (slipped) disc - protrusion or rupture of an intervertebral disc
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Scoliosis - exaggerated lateral bending of spinal column
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Kyphosis - "hunchback" exaggerated thoracic curvature
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Lordosis - "swayback" exaggerated lumbar curvature
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Spina bifida - congenital defect with incomplete closure of the vertebral column
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Epidural anesthesia, often used in obstetrics, is injected into the sacrum at the sacral hiatus.
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Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) spinal fluid is removed using a long needle inserted between L3-L4 or L4-L5.
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Thursday, April 18 
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