Spine and Spinal Disorders The spinal column spreads the body weight from the head to the pelvis and protects the spinal cord. It consists of bony vertebrae connected together by cartilage-like structures (discs) and ligaments. [Please download the PDF file if you are unable to view the image below.] Download Chinese PDF, 762KB, PDF Content serves as a guide only. Seek the advice of your doctor for more details Information correct as of April 2020 Reproduced with permission from the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI)