The spine is an amazing part of the human body. It is one of the differentiating factors that define humans. Though we use our spine constantly, there are so many amazing aspects of it that we don’t even realize! Here are just ten fascinating facts about the spine.

• The spine has over 120 muscles in it.

  • This is why our spine is so flexible, and why it allows us to use it in so many different ways.

• Cartilage in the spine can expand and contract.

  • Gravity can cause the cartilage to expand and contract, that is why sometimes when people go to space they come back taller! You are also taller in the morning than at night, because at night you have had gravity pushing down on you all day long.

• The spine has an exceptional memory.

  • Your spine will remember and become used to your posture. This is why it can be hard to get out of the habit of having bad posture. But once you do make a habit of good posture, your spine will remember it.

• Approximately 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain in their life.

  • Back pain is the number one reason that people miss work in the U.S.

• Humans and giraffes have the same amount of vertebrae in their neck.

  • This is what provides humans with so much flexibility in their neck.