In tetrapod anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum (pelvis). The lumbar region is sometimes referred to as the lower spine, or as an area of the back in its proximity.

Structure[link]

In human anatomy the five vertebrae in the lumbar region of the back are the largest and strongest in the movable part of the spinal column, and can be distinguished by the absence of a foramen in the transverse process, and by the absence of facets on the sides of the body. In most mammals, the lumbar region of the spine curves outward.

The actual spinal cord (medulla spinalis) terminates between vertebrae one and two of this series, called L1 and L2. The nervous tissue that extends below this point are individual strands that collectively form the cauda equina. In between each lumbar vertebra a nerve root exits, and these nerve roots come together again to form the largest single nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs through the back of each leg and into the feet. This is why a disorder of the low back that affects a nerve root, such as a spinal disc herniation, can cause pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve (sciatica) down into the foot.

There are several muscles in the low back that assist with rotation, flexibility and strength. These muscles are susceptible to injury, especially while lifting heavy objects, or lifting while twisting. A low back muscle strain can be extremely painful but will usually heal within a few days or weeks..

The lumbar portion of the spine bears the most body weight and also provides the most flexibility, a combination that makes it susceptible to injury and wear and tear over time. This is why low back pain is so prevalent.^{[citation needed]}

See also[link]

• Back belts
• Car seat and lumbar support
• Lumbar hyperlordosis
• Lumbar Puncture
• Lumbar vertebrae

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2010)

External links[link]

• Lumbar Medical Manipulations Laminectomy, Surgery and Recovery Time.
• Lower back pain information

The Normal is the recording artist name used by English music producer Daniel Miller, a film editor at the time, who is best known as the founder of the record label Mute Records.

Background[link]

In 1977, Miller had split up with his girlfriend. A friend suggested that he read a book he himself had just finished. The book was Crash (1973) by J.G. Ballard.^[1] He felt that Ballard's writing took him five minutes into the future; the novel was to be a major influence in the music he would produce as The Normal.^[1] Miller was disillusioned by the fact you needed to learn three chords to be in a punk band, so he decided to purchase a synthesiser. His thinking was that you only needed to learn to press one key on a synthesiser.^[1] After buying a Korg 700s synthesiser from Macari's music shop in London,^[1] Miller recorded and released a single under the name The Normal. This was "T.V.O.D."/"Warm Leatherette". Both tracks were minimalist electronic songs influenced by the Crash novel.^[1] He wanted the sound of the recordings to be visual, like driving along a highway between large buildings then going through a tunnel.^[1] The single was recorded in Daniel Miller's house using a TEAC four track tape recorder and the Korg synthesiser.^[2]

"Live at West Runton Pavilion", The Normal's second release, done with another Mute Records act, Robert Rental, wasn't well-received. A strange release, it was a one-sided album (side two was left blank) of improvised electronic noises, in a plain purple dust jacket. Marat Records released the record in Germany as Daniel Miller Robert Rental Live, with a black and white picture sleeve, catalogue No. Marat Rough 017.

Influence on other artists[link]

Songs by The Normal have been covered and performed by many notable artists such as Grace Jones, Chicks on Speed/Hell on a split-7", Giddle and Boyd Rice and in 2006 by Trent Reznor with Jeordie White and Peter Murphy.^[3] A recent cover of "Warm Leatherette" was performed live by Duran Duran in November 2007, and as part of an electro medley during their 2008 tour,^[4] in support of their album Red Carpet Massacre.

Discography[link]

• The Normal - "T.V.O.D." / "Warm Leatherette" (Mute Records 1978)
• Robert Rental & The Normal - Live At West Runton Pavilion, 6-3-79 (Rough Trade 1980)

References[link]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• The Normal at Mute Records Official site
• The Normal at Allmusic
• The Normal Discography at discogs.com