The flexible backbone

The idea

The vertebral column, a flexible series of small bones called vertebrae, supports the body upright; cartilage discs between the vertebrae cushion them and allow bending and twisting without injuring the spinal cord.

Touch your toes

You can bend forward to touch your toes and twist to look behind you. Your back has a column of bones.

How can a column of bones bend?

• Soft cartilage between the bones allows flexibility
• The bones are made of rubber
• The bones are not joined together

Bend the column

Bend the column, then switch on the spinal cord.

Cushions between bones

The backbone is a series of small bones called vertebrae. Between each pair is a disc of cartilage. The discs act as cushions and make the column flexible, so we can bend and twist, and the spinal cord inside is not injured.

The vertebral column, a flexible series of small bones called vertebrae, supports the body upright; cartilage discs between the vertebrae cushion them and allow bending and twisting without injuring the spinal cord.

Notes

The vertebral column is a flexible series of vertebrae. Cartilage discs cushion them and allow bending and twisting without injuring the spinal cord.

Check yourself

What is the vertebral column made of?

What lies between the vertebrae?

What do the cartilage discs do?

What does the flexible column let us do without injuring the spinal cord?

• A series of small bones called vertebrae — correct. Yes!
• One single long bone. The vertebral column is a flexible series of small bones called vertebrae.
• A series of muscles. Muscles pull on bones. The column itself is a series of small bones.
• Muscles. Between each vertebra is a cartilage disc.
• Cartilage discs — correct. Yes!
• Ribs. Ribs are attached to the spine, but between each vertebra is a cartilage disc.
• Make the column stiff so that it cannot move. The discs allow flexibility, so we can bend and twist.
• Protect the heart and lungs. That is the job of the rib cage.
• Act as cushions and allow flexibility — correct. Yes!
• Bend and twist — correct. Yes!
• Breathe in and out. Breathing involves the movement of the rib cage.
• Digest food. Digestion is not done by the vertebral column. The discs let us bend and twist without injuring the spinal cord.