MORE ABOUT THE BRAIN AND SPINE….part 8

Psalm 139:14

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

The miraculous and dynamic design of the human brain defy comprehension. Brain matter is totally unique in function. And unlike other cells in the body that are constantly dying and being replaced, we only get one brain and it must control and coordinate all body functions and it must last an entire lifetime. Add to that the fact that brain matter is very delicate and we can see why God designed the human skull to encapsulate and protect the brain to keep it safe from injury. Every skull has a large hole at the bottom which allows the brain to exit and expand downward into the body in the form of the spinal cord.

The spinal cord, continuous with the brain, is equally dynamic in function and equally delicate. Because it carries life-giving energy, protection is absolutely essential for life to continue. As a result the spinal cord is also completely encased in bone. But here is where it becomes even more fascinating …. if the human is going to be allowed the vast amount of mobility we require on a daily basis, then the bone encasing the spinal column must allow for movement.

Of course, those moveable segments are called vertebrae and wIthout this incredible design humans would be little more than turtles with flippers.

It all becomes more complicated when considering that all 24 segments we are born with, must not only protect the spinal cord and allow movement, they must also have openings for bundles of nerves to travel to and from the various organs, muscles and tissues in the body. Not only that but the vertebral design must allow for shock absorption and the vertebrae must be able to form reversing curvatures to provide the spine with maximum strength and the ability to lift tremendous weight.

In graduate school my anatomy and physiology professor once confided that his parents were atheists and he was raised to believe that God was no different than Santa Claus. It was not until his studies of the human body leading to his doctorate that he came away with a strong belief in a creator. In his words, “Under no circumstance can anyone study the amazing design of the human body and come away from that convinced that it simply all happened by coincidence”.

Referring to our pictures…we have shown the skull and the Foramen Magnum and a section of spinal column (the lumbar spine). Our picture shows the opening where the nerves leave the spinal cord and exits so they can be a conduit of nerve enervation to the lower torso.

The nerve tissue that exits between the 4th and 5th lumber vertebrae, for example, is HUGE - often as big or even larger than a male middle finger. Many people think the heart is the body’s biggest muscle….it’s not. Instead the muscles of the butt and thigh - because they compose the body’s means of ambulation are larger. THAT explains why the nerves exiting in the lower lumbars are so big and so important…in essence…because they supply the biggest muscles they must have the greatest supply of nerve energy.

Our next post will explore the four essential curvatures of the spine and how they provide strength and help with movement.

HAVE QUESTIONS…contact Bobbie at DOC KLEINS CHIROPRACTIC.