A spine diagram would often show the structure, anatomy and alignment of the spine particularly the vertebra and the spinal cord.  A normal vertebral column consists of seven cervical spines, twelve thoracic spines, five lumbar spines, the sacrum and the coccyx (tailbone; usually made up of nine vertebra fused together.

A spine diagram is a helpful way to show you how certain conditions look or how it can affect you. But, it does not necessarily diagnose and pinpoint your particular health issue.  It is only a tool in helping you to understand better.

Let us take two conditions, for example: spinal cord damages and subluxation.

The spinal cord is known to be a pathway for the transmission of nerve impulses between the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. It is a long and delicate structure which extends from the back of the brain downward. When there is damage to the spinal cord, doctors usually tell where it is depending on the symptoms and physical examination. The use of the spine diagram here is to pinpoint which of the spines may have acquired trauma resulting to the damage to the spinal cord.

You have to remember that most injuries to the spinal cord originate from outside it. Each section of the spine represented in a spine diagram provides for a unique trend of symptoms and loss of function. Along the length of the spinal cord, there are a number of spinal nerves which emerge through the vertebra. Each spinal nerve is responsible for a specific area in the body.

From cervical spine 1 to 5, paralysis of some or all muscles related to respiratory functions may occur if the damage occurs here.

For cervical spine 5 to 6, there are chances of weakness of muscles in the shoulders and elbow.

Injury to cervical spine 7 to 8 may pose weakness to muscles of legs, trunk and hands. Horner’s syndrome (usually manifested by drooping eyelids, constricted pupils, and reduced perspiration on one side of the face) may occur to those with affectation from cervical spine 8 to thoracic spine 1.

Damage to thoracic spine 2 to 4 may bring about loss of sensation from the nipples downward.  Loss of sensation from below the rib cage may occur with those who have their thoracic spine 5 to 8 damaged and loss of sensation from below the navel with injured thoracic spine 9 to 11.

Paralysis of the hips and legs occur with an injury to the thoracic spine 11 to lumbar spine 1. Various patterns of weakness in the legs occur with those who have their lumbar spine 2 to sacral spine 2 affected and numbness in the perineum is experienced by those who have injury to their sacral spine 3 to 5. Along side with these, bladder and bowel control issues are also an added problem.

A spine diagram can show you how a misaligned spine can look. This condition is called subluxation. It can show you how it can affect normal functions. With subluxation, the misaligned vertebra may exert pressure on the nerves thereby causing back pain. Aside from this, the transmission of nerve impulses is also impeded which may limit your movement and daily functions.