Spinal Anatomy

Section I: Phylogenesis and ontogenesis: 1 Comparative anatomy of the axial skeleton of vertebrates.- 2 Embryology of the spine.- 3 The growing spine.- 4 Growth cartilages of the spine and pelvic vertebra.- 5 Morphological and functional evolution of the aging spine. Section II: Postural Anatomy: 6 Standing up. Its principles. Pelvic spinal relationships.- 7 The hip extension reserve and its relation to the spine.- 8  The EOS system: interest in the overall assessment of the balance of the spine but also its movements and balance. Section III: Descriptive Anatomy: 9 The cranial vertebra.- 10 Surgical anatomy of the vertebral pedicle.- 11 Anatomy of the sacrum: new concepts.- 12 The pelvic vertebra, the cephalic vertebra, and the concept of the chain Of balance.- 13 Are the "cranial and pelvic vertebrae" true vertebrae?.- 14 The intervertebral disk.- 15 Anatomy of thoracolumbar posterior joints.- 16 The spinal ligaments.- 17 Sacro-iliac joints.- 18 The normal and pathological spinal muscle.- 19 Configuration of posterior lumbar muscles. Application for Study Of lumbosacral malformations.- 20 Muscles and fascia.- 21  Functional anatomy of the erector of the spine: a review.- 22 The conjunctive structures of the posterior surface of the trunk.- 23 The spinal canals.- 24 The spinal cord.- 25 Spinal nerves (spinal innervation).- 26 Anatomy of spinal meninges.- 27 Intrinsic innervation of the vertebral column.- 28 Vascularization of the spine and cord Functional anatomy.- Section IV - Functional anatomy.- 29 Systemic approach to the functioning of the Thoracolumbar spine.- 30 Kinematics of the spine.- 31 Spinal balance.- 32 Biomechanics and modelling of the spine.- 33 Anatomy is a living language.

Since 1989, Jean Marc Vital has been an Intern and University Professor of orthopedic and traumatology surgery at the University of Medicine of Bordeaux, as well as Head of the Department of Spinal Diseases and Director of the Anatomy Laboratory at the Paul Broca faculty. Upon completing his residency in Bordeaux in 1980, he received the Gold Medal Award of Surgery. Moreover, he earned an MD in human biology in the field of anatomy. In 1981 he was appointed Instructor of Anatomy and Organogenesis as well as Intern in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology. In the same year, he became Senior Registrar of the Department run by Prof. Jacques Senegas. He also earned the national specialized Diploma in Sports Medicine (CES).  

As a spine surgeon, Dr. Vital has a special interest in spinal deformities (with particular emphasis on sagittal balance) and in cervical spine surgery (cervical prostheses and myelopathy). He has been a member of several outstanding societies such asthe French Medical College of Anatomy since 1989, and the European Cervical Spine Research Society since 2003. He also serves on the editorial boards of the European Spine Journal, The Spine, and The French Journal of Orthopedic and Traumatology Surgery.


Dr. Derek Thomas Cawley is a Spinal Fellow at Bordeaux University Hospital. Having completed his training as an orthopedic surgeon in the Republic of Ireland, he is the author of several publications on orthopedic and spinal research topics. He has received numerous international awards as an orthopedic trainee including an RCSI/Ethicon bursary, BOA/Zimmer Biomet travelling fellowship, SOFCOT/ARMO foreign graduate award and the Mark Paterson/EFORT travelling fellowship.