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Low Back or Lumbar Spine

By , About.com Guide

Updated May 01, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

The lumbar spine forms the lower back.

The lumbar spine forms the lower back.

Anne Asher Licensed to About.com
Definition: The lumbar spine is the area of the spinal column that comprises the low back.

The lumbar spine is made of 5 vertebrae. Lumbar vertebrae are refered to by 'L,' appended with an identifying number. The number indicates the level of the spine in which the particular vertebra is located.

The curve of the lumbar spine is a lordosis.

Also Known As: low back
Examples:
Low back problems are often referred to as conditions of or injuries to the lumbar spine.
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