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What does the lower back control?
The muscles of the lower back help stabilize, rotate, flex, and extend the spinal column, which is a bony tower of 24 vertebrae that gives the body structure and houses the spinal cord. The spinal cord and its nerves are the means by which the body and brain communicate with one another.
What does L2 and L3 control?
Functions of the Lumbar Spinal Nerves L2, L3, and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of the thigh and inner side of the lower leg. These nerves also control movements of the hip and knee muscles.
What are the symptoms of L3 nerve damage?
When the L3 spinal nerve is involved, the following symptoms may occur:
- Sharp pain, typically felt as a shooting and/or burning feeling that may occur in the thigh and/or inner part of the leg.
- Numbness in the thigh and/or inner part of the leg.
- Weakness while moving the thigh and/or knee in different directions.
What organs are in your lower back?
The lower back has 31 nerves. As well, organs such as the kidneys, pancreas, colon, and uterus are located near your lower back. All of these can be responsible for pain in the left side of your lower back, so there are many potential causes. While many require treatment, most aren’t serious.
What are the symptoms of L2 L3 disc herniation?
L2-L3 Herniation: The L2 nerve root is responsible for the iliopsoas muscles. A disc herniation at this level may cause weakness in an iliopsoas muscle, which may cause difficulty while walking up the stairs and/or pain that radiates into the front of the thigh.
How is L3 nerve pain treated?
Spinal nerve pain from L3 may be treated with steroid injections in the epidural space or into the L3-L4 facet joint. Risks of these injection procedures include hematoma, bleeding, and/or nerve damage.
What does T2 nerve control?
The nerves in the area of a vertebra control specific parts of the body. For example, the 7th cervical nerve (C7) in the neck area controls the triceps (the muscle in the upper arm), while the thoracic nerves (T2 through T7) control the chest muscles.
What are the symptoms of l4 nerve root compression?
Common symptoms and signs include: Sharp pain, typically felt as a shooting and/or burning feeling that originates in the lower back and travels down the leg in the distribution of a specific nerve, sometimes affecting the foot. Numbness in different parts of the thigh, leg, foot, and/or toes.
How does the spinal cord support your back?
Large muscles and an intricate network of ligaments in your lower back support serve to stabilize your spine and power your twisting and bending movements. Five pairs of lumbar spinal nerves labeled L1 to L5 branch off your spinal cord and exit through small holes between the vertebrae.
How can I lower my risk of lumbar spinal stenosis?
Because almost everyone has some osteoarthritis of the spine by age 50, you can’t really prevent lumbar spinal stenosis. But you may be able to lower your risk. Here are some ways to keep your spine healthy: Get regular exercise. Exercise strengthens the muscles that support your lower back and helps keep your spine flexible.
What should I know about the function of the spine?
The parts of the spine and its function are further discussed. What should I know about the spine? The spine (or backbone) runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis. It serves as a pillar to support the body’s weight and to protect the spinal cord. There are three natural curves in the spine that give it an “S” shape when viewed from the side.
How does your spine support your head and shoulders?
It supports your head, shoulders, and upper body. Your spine plays another key role: The vertebrae make a tunnel for your spinal cord. That’s the set of nerves that connect your brain to most of your body. A cushion called a disk sits between each of your vertebrae, so they don’t scrape against each other. As you age, the disks start to dry out.