Spinal Regions
- HEAD (caput)
The skull articulates with the top of the spine at the atlanto-occipital (AO) joint. Many muscles that cross the AO joint and move the head on the rest of the spine bear the word "capitis" in their names.
- CERVICAL
a curve that is ordinarily lordotic
- THORACIC
a curve that is ordinarily kyphotic
- LUMBAR
a curve that is ordinarily lordotic
- SACRAL
The five sacral segments are fused. However, motion occurs at the lumbosacral (L5-S1) and sacroiliac (SI) joints.