[Spinal growth under physiological and pathological conditions]

Spinal growth is developing analogously to extremity growth. As the vertebral spine is built by 25 "vertebral units" there are much more possibilities of compensatory growth in short parts of pathologic alterations than there are in cases of affected extremities that only show epiphyseal compensations in metaphyseal or diaphyseal deformities (such as juvenile fractures). The dynamics of growth is different in the spine. The neurocentral epiphysis, basis to seize of spinal channel, shows very strong dynamics in embryonal and early childhood growth corresponding to the development in central nerve system. Whereas, enchondral height growth of vertebral bodies does not end after puberty, in male sex even at about the age of eighteen. Enchondral growth of the spine is much more sensible to affections than periostal growth. This is analogous in the extremities. Spinal growth is determined genetically, but especially in puberty it can be influenced by the child's posture. This is a therapeutic hint especially for the period of fast vertebral growth in puberty. The strong straightening tendency of spine is fascinating. Thus, in the period of growth all spinal deformities are compensated by the vertebral segments below and above, so that the axis appears in horizontal line and the spine altogether in perpendicular position.