Spine X-Ray - Cleveland Clinic

What is a spine X-ray?

A spine X-ray is an imaging test that uses electromagnetic waves to take pictures of the bones in your neck and back. On an X-ray, your bones (in this case, your vertebrae) show up as white and your soft tissues (like muscle and fat) show up as shades of gray. Spinal X-rays help healthcare providers figure out why you have neck pain or back pain.

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What is a spine X-ray called?

Spine X-rays have different names depending on which part of your spine needs imaging.

Your spine consists of sections, which include your:

• Cervical spine: These seven vertebrae make up your neck.
• Thoracic spine: This section of your spine consists of 12 vertebrae located in your upper and mid-back.
• Lumbar spine: These five vertebrae make up your lower back.
• Sacral spine (sacrum): Your sacrum consists of five small, fused vertebrae, located just above your tailbone.
• Coccyx (tailbone): You have four vertebrae at the base of your spine, but they all fuse together to form your tailbone.

So, the name of your X-ray depends on where you’re having issues. For example:

• An X-ray of your neck is a cervical spine X-ray.
• An X-ray of your thoracic spine shows your upper and middle back.
• An X-ray of your lower back is a lumbosacral spine X-ray.
• An X-ray of your tailbone is a coccyx X-ray.

What can a spine X-ray show?

A spine X-ray can give your healthcare provider information about a range of neck and back conditions, including:

• Fractured spine (broken back).
• Osteoporosis (weak bones).
• Arthritis (joint pain and inflammation).
• Spinal tumors (abnormal growth of cells in your spine).
• Slipped disk (when one of the cushions between your vertebrae moves out of place).
• Spinal curvature disorders, including lordosis (“swayback”), kyphosis (“hunchback”) and scoliosis (when your spine has a side-to-side curve).
• Congenital spinal issues, including neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida. Congenital issues are conditions you’re born with.

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