Projecting from the back of the vertebral arch are segments of bones, called processes, that articulate with each other and provide attachment points for muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The other segment is an arch-shaped section of bone called the vertebral arch. It provides strength and stability to the spine. One, the vertebral body, is a solid, cylindrical segment, shaped something like a marshmallow. Each vertebra (the singular of vertebrae) is composed of two sections. In the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, all vertebrae are essentially similar. Each disc is composed of a jelly-like core surrounded by a fibrous outer ring. The intervertebral discs act as cushions and shock absorbers between the vertebrae. Sturdy intervertebral discs connect the vertebrae. Finally, the sacral spine is located below the small of the back, between the hips. (The vertebrae of the thoracic spine articulate with, or form joints with, the ribs.) Below the thoracic spine is the lumbar spine, in the lower back. The next section, located in the upper and mid-back, is called the thoracic spine. The topmost section of the vertebral column, the section in the neck, is called the cervical spine. Together, this stack forms the vertebral column. The spine is composed of many vertebrae, or individual bones of the spine, stacked one on top of another. To understand spinal tumors, it helps to understand a little about basic spinal anatomy. The secondary tumor contains the same cells as the original tumor (for example, lung tumor cells), but they grow in a new location (for example, in the bones of the spinal column). In metastatic disease, theВ secondary tumorВ represents a spread of the primary tumor.

Cancer of spine