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by kuyakev on April 11th, 2007

kuyakev

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Why is our spine curved?

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  • by Anonymous on April 12th, 2007

    Anonymous

    The spine is curved to allow us to maintain a proper centre of gravity and weight transference while walking on two legs, with the least amount of physical effort required (ie the least amount of muscle activity involved to keep us upright). If the spine was not curved, the weight would all be transferred to the posterior of the pelvis, and we would be likely to fall backwards.

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  • by fataka on April 12th, 2007

    fataka

    Because we have not yet completed total evolution from apes to humans.
    By theory of evolution we are descendents of ape species and thus had our spines curved initially. As time progressed we straightened up and started walking (Homo erectus...).
    Next stage was what is today's modern man Homo sapiens (wise man). However we have yet to give up our vestigial tail (in some cases) and to get our spines fully erect.

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  • by jdlostetter on March 7th, 2012

    jdlostetter

    The curves of the vertebral column increase its strength, help maintain balance in the upright position, absorb shocks during walking, and help protect the vertebrae from fraction.-

    Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 13th Edition
    Gerard J. Tortora, Gerard J. Tortora, Bryan H. Derrickson, Bryan H. Derrickson
    ©2012

    In the normal adult there are four curvatures in the vertebral column in an anteroposterior plane. These serve to align the head with a vertical line through the pelvis (fig. 2). In the thoracic and sacral regions, these curves are oriented concave anterior and each is known as a kyphosis. In the lumbar and cervical regions the curves are convex anterior and each is known as a lordosis. These latter normal curvatures develop during childhood in association with lifting the head (cervical) and assuming upright sitting (lumbar) and they are thus known as secondary curvatures. The thoracic and sacral curvatures are the same in adult as they are in fetal life and they are known as primary curvatures. Exaggerated kyphosis or lordosis can occur under some normal conditions (e.g. increased lumbar lordosis in pregnancy). A curvature of the vertebral column in a mediolateral plane can occur pathologically and is known as a scoliosis.
    http://www.emory.edu/ANATOMY/AnatomyManual/back.html

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