Eiffel Tower in Our Back: Architecture of the Human Vertebral Column, Movements and Muscular Morphology

The form of the vertebral column is definitely related to its function as a supporting rod, a base for attachment of body and limb muscles and a protection of the spinal cord and nerves. Primitively composed of a series of simple, undifferentiated blocks, it progressively becomes complicated through the development of articular processes giving added strength and greater mobility.

The spinal movements will be discussed with regard to the planes of the zygapophyses together with the action of the axial muscles and ligaments.