The lower back, or the lumbar spine and sacrum, is the  core of the human skeleton and provides a crucial
balance between structural support and flexibility. The
lower back is comprised of five motion segments. Each
motion segment consists of two separate bones called
vertebrae that are joined by connective tissue, an anterior
disc, and two posterior facet joints. Motion and stability
are achieved through the coordinated movement of the
disc and the facet joints.
The key elements of the posterior spine include:
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The spinal cord, the body’s central nerve conduit, and its off-shoot nerve roots
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The lamina, a bony formation that connects around the posterior portion of the vertebra and protects the spinal cord and nerve roots.
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The facet joints, two cartilage-covered bony extensions of the lamina that articulate with two adjoining elements of the adjacent vertebra to stabilize the spine and allow motion.
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The spinal ligaments and other connective tissues in the spinal column that connect the vertebrae and permit a normal range of motion.
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The neural foramina between the vertebrae through which the nerve roots traverse to the buttocks and legs.
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The spinous process which is the bone you can feel when running your hands down the middle of your back.
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Degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine afflict the disc and the posterior elements.
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Degenerative disc disease impacts the anterior disc and can manifest itself as a disc herniation or collapse in disc height, which leads to primary back pain.
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Spinal stenosis, facet arthrosis, and spondylolisthesis (“slipped disc”) impact the posterior elements and lead to vertebral instability, causing leg and/or back pain.
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