Beading the Backbone

Beading the Backbone

The vertebral column, often called the spine or backbone, provides structural support, allows movement, and protects the spinal cord running through its center. My latest creation is a wearable tribute to human anatomy. 

Anatomy

Your spine consists of 33 bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae are divided into five distinct regions:

  1. Cervical: 7 vertebrae
    1. Atlas (C1): Attaches directly to the skull and permits the nodding motion 
    2. Axis (C2): Acts as an axis for C1 to pivot and allows you to shake your head when saying “no”  
  2. Thoracic: 12 vertebrae
  3. Lumbar: 5 vertebrae
  4. Sacral: 5 fused vertebrae
  5. Coccyx: 4 fused vertebrae 

Intervertebral discs lie between the vertebrae to absorb shock and prevent the bones from rubbing together. Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2) do not have an intervertebral disc in between them to allow Axis (C2) to act as an axis and permit Atlas (C1) to pivot. 

Materials and Techniques

Creating a vertebral column-inspired necklace involves selecting materials that capture both the form and essence of the spine. Bone-colored freshwater pearls represent the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, which are strung onto flexible beading wire to mimic the spine’s natural movement. C1 & C2 intentionally don’t have a bead (intervertebral disc) in between them to ensure anatomical accuracy. Two small gold beads conclude the backlace and represent the fused vertebrae of the sacral and coccyx, respectively. The 24 pearls of the necklace follow a deliberate anatomical pattern, arranged from smallest to largest to mirror the human vertebral column. The sequence includes 7 small pearls representing the cervical vertebrae of the neck, followed by 12 medium pearls symbolizing the thoracic vertebrae of the mid-back, and finally 5 large pearls representing the substantial lumbar vertebrae of the lower back. This graduated sizing reflects the actual anatomical progression of the human spine, where vertebrae increase in size and mass as they descend, proportional to the greater weight they must support.  

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