Spinal Anatomy (PDF)

Since 1989, Jean Marc Vital has been an Intern and University Professor of orthopedic and traumatology surgery at the University of Medicine of Bordeaux, as well as Head of the Department of Spinal Diseases and Director of the Anatomy Laboratory at the Paul Broca faculty. Upon completing his residency in Bordeaux in 1980, he received the Gold Medal Award of Surgery. Moreover, he earned an MD in human biology in the field of anatomy. In 1981 he was appointed Instructor of Anatomy and Organogenesis as well as Intern in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology. In the same year, he became Senior Registrar of the Department run by Prof. Jacques Senegas. He also earned the national specialized Diploma in Sports Medicine (CES).

As a spine surgeon, Dr. Vital has a special interest in spinal deformities (with particular emphasis on sagittal balance) and in cervical spine surgery (cervical prostheses and myelopathy). He has been a member of several outstanding societies such asthe French Medical College of Anatomy since 1989, and the European Cervical Spine Research Society since 2003. He also serves on the editorial boards of the European Spine Journal, The Spine, and The French Journal of Orthopedic and Traumatology Surgery.


Dr. Derek Thomas Cawley is a Spinal Fellow at Bordeaux University Hospital. Having completed his training as an orthopedic surgeon in the Republic of Ireland, he is the author of several publications on orthopedic and spinal research topics. He has received numerous international awards as an orthopedic trainee including an RCSI/Ethicon bursary, BOA/Zimmer Biomet travelling fellowship, SOFCOT/ARMO foreign graduate award and the Mark Paterson/EFORT travelling fellowship.