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Comprehensive anatomical and immunohistochemical review of the innervation of the human spine and joints with application to an improved understanding of back pain

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Abstract

Background

Pain of spinal origin contributes significantly to cervical, thoracic, and lower back pain presentations. Such pain originates in the nerve fibers supplying the joints or the surrounding ligaments and intervertebral discs. Although there has been little detailed discussion of spinal bony innervation patterns in the literature, the clinical implications of these patterns are anatomically and medically significant.

Methods

The present review provides a detailed analysis of the innervation of the spine, identifying the unique features of each part via online search engines.

Conclusions

The clinical implications of these various studies lie in the importance of the innervation patterns for the mechanism of spinal pain. Immunohistochemical studies have provided further evidence regarding the nature of the innervation of the spine.

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Conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University, St. George’s, Grenada

    Pamela Youssef & Marios Loukas

  2. Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA

    Jens R. Chapman & Rod J. Oskouian

  3. Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

Authors
  1. Pamela Youssef
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  2. Marios Loukas
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  3. Jens R. Chapman
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  4. Rod J. Oskouian
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  5. R. Shane Tubbs
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Correspondence to R. Shane Tubbs.

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Youssef, P., Loukas, M., Chapman, J.R. et al. Comprehensive anatomical and immunohistochemical review of the innervation of the human spine and joints with application to an improved understanding of back pain. Childs Nerv Syst 32, 243–251 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2880-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2880-6

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