What are a vertebral column and spinal cord in reflexology?

The Vertebral Column is of five major regions comprising 33 segments; two segments fused together, thus, the total segments are 31. Nerves are branched out from each segment to connect different body organs/parts:

1. Cervical vertebrae have seven vertebrae located below the skull. It carries nerve to connect the head, neck, upper body, arms, and hands. It provides smooth head movement and support the skull.

2. The thoracic spine consists of twelve vertebrae T1-T12. The thoracic spine refers to the upper- and middle-back. Thoracic region nerve connects hands, fingers, chest, and abdominal muscles.

3. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae L1-L5. It is in the lower back; where, the spine curves inward toward the abdomen. Lumbar region nerve connects hips, knee, ankles and toe muscles.

4. The sacrum is a large triangular bone at the spine base; formed by the fusion of sacral vertebrae S1–S5 happen during 18 to 30 years of age. Sacral nerve connects legs, toes, bladder and anal muscles.

5. The coccyx or tailbone is at the bottom end of the spine. This part of the spine formed by the fusion of three or more tiny bones. Coccygeal region nerve connects skin around the coccyx.

The spinal cord lies within the vertebral canal, protected by three membranes.

Spinal nerve carries motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves; one on each side of the vertebral column. There are eight pairs of cervical nerves, twelve pairs of thoracic nerves, five pairs of lumbar nerves, five pairs of sacral nerves, and one pair of coccygeal nerves.