SEGMENTAL ANATOMY OF THE SPINE AND STABILIZATION METHODS

Abstract

The spine is the central part of the human skeleton and represents a complex biomechanical system that provides vertical stability, connects the head and body, and protects the spinal cord and its peripheral nerves. The spine has a segmental anatomical structure: each segment is interconnected through vertebrae, intervertebral discs, ligaments, articular processes, and surrounding muscles, ensuring both mobility and stability. A deep understanding of segmental anatomy is essential for diagnosing spinal pathologies, assessing their severity, and selecting individualized treatment strategies. Stabilization methods are divided into conservative and surgical approaches. Conservative methods — physical therapy, orthopedic braces, and muscle-strengthening exercises — are mainly used for mild to moderate pathologies. Surgical methods include segmental fixation, instrumentation, spondylodesis, and other operative techniques, applied in cases of severe deformities, trauma, or disc pathologies. This article analyzes the segmental anatomy of the spine, its biomechanical characteristics, the effectiveness and limitations of different stabilization methods, and highlights the importance of a segmental approach in developing optimal treatment strategies in clinical practice.