Built from connected parts
The spine includes the neck, middle back, lower back, and the sacrum and coccyx. Stacked bones called vertebrae surround the spinal cord. Discs between vertebrae provide cushioning, while muscles and other tissues support movement.
Symptoms need context
Several structures can contribute to back pain, and similar symptoms may have different causes. Where you feel pain is useful information, but it does not tell the whole story.
- Muscles and tendons help produce and control movement.
- Ligaments connect and support bones.
- Nerves carry signals between the body and nervous system.
From anatomy to an assessment
At your visit, describe your symptoms, activity, health history, and what has changed. The doctor uses that information with examination findings to discuss possible next steps. Imaging is considered when clinically appropriate, rather than assumed necessary for every visit.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Can this page tell me which structure is causing pain?
No. A short anatomy guide cannot diagnose an individual problem. A consultation and examination provide the context needed to discuss treatment or a referral.