A neutral spine or good posture refers to the "three natural curves are present in a healthy spine." From the anterior/posterior view the 33 vertebrae in the spinal column should appear completely vertical. From the sagittal view, the cervical region of the spine (C1-C7) is convex anteriorly, the thoracic region (T1-T12) is convex posteriorly, and the lumbar region (L1-L5) is convex anteriorly. The sacrum (S1-S5 fused) and coccyx (on average 4 fused) rest between the pelvic bones. A neutral pelvis indicates the anterior superior iliac spines and pubic symphysis fall in the same vertical line.
Read more about Neutral Spine: Posture and Natural Curvatures, Posture Abnormalities, Quantifying Abnormalities, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words neutral and/or spine:
“The seashore is a sort of neutral ground, a most advantageous point from which to contemplate this world. It is even a trivial place. The waves forever rolling to the land are too far-traveled and untamable to be familiar. Creeping along the endless beach amid the sun-squall and the foam, it occurs to us that we, too, are the product of sea-slime.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Much of a man’s character will be found betokened in his backbone. I would rather feel your spine than your skull, whoever you are. A thin joist of a spine never yet upheld a full and noble soul.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)