Lumbar spine (L1–L5)

Looks like

Five big vertebrae with thick discs, the load-bearing part of the back.

What it does

Carries the upper body and allows bending.

Keeping it well

Strong hips and trunk, regular movement, sensible lifting. Most back pain settles in six weeks.

Its parts

• First lumbar vertebra
• Second lumbar vertebra
• Third lumbar vertebra
• Fourth lumbar vertebra
• Fifth lumbar vertebra

Related conditions

• Achondroplasia
• Acromegaly
• Cauda equina syndrome
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Herniated disc
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Non-specific low back pain
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Sarcoma
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency