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==Cervical Region==
==Cervical Region==
[[Image:Cervical Vertebra.png|thumb|right|250px|'''Cross section of a Canine Cervical Vertebra''' - Wikimedia Commons 2008]]
[[Image:Cervical Vertebra.png|thumb|right|250px|'''Cross section of a Canine Cervical Vertebra''' - Wikimedia Commons 2008]]
==Caudal Vertebrae==
==Caudal Vertebrae==
These vertebrae originate from the caudal vertebrae of the sacrum and they become progressively simplified in a caudal direction. Initially the caudal vertebrae have a similar conformation to lumbar vertebrae, although they are smaller in overall size. The most caudal of these vertebrae are almost reduced to a rod shape. The total number of caudal vertebrae vary widely amongst individuals, breeds and species.
These vertebrae originate from the caudal vertebrae of the sacrum and they become progressively simplified in a caudal direction. Initially the caudal vertebrae have a similar conformation to lumbar vertebrae, although they are smaller in overall size. The most caudal of these vertebrae are almost reduced to a rod shape. The total number of caudal vertebrae vary widely amongst individuals, breeds and species.
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==Joints of the Spinal Column==
Within the spinal column there are two types of joints: '''cartilaginous''' and '''synovial'''. '''Cartilaginous''' joints provide direct connections between vertebral bodies. The bodies of adjacent vertebrae are connected by thick, flexible intervertebral discs, consisting of two parts; the ''nucleus pulposus'' and the ''annulus fibrosis''. The '''nucleus pulposus''' has a slightly eccentric shape and is a notochord derivative. It is contained under pressure and prone to escape during spinal trauma. The '''annulus fibrosis''' has encircling bundles of fibrous tissue surrounding the nucleus pulposus that pass obliquely from one vertebra to another with changing orientation. These are not prone to damage. The second type of spinal column joint is the '''synovial''' joint. These are found between facets on vertebral arches and there are various conformational differences between the regions of the head and pelvis.
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