Figure 1 From: Reflex control of the spine and posture: a review of the literature from a chiropractic perspective This figure illustrates the development of the sagittal spinal curves. In the womb, the fetal spine is more of a C-shape (left). As the child begins to hold his head up, the cervical curve is developed and reinforced (middle). Finally, as the child begins to crawl, gravity helps to develop the lumbar curve, a requisite for a bipedal upright stance (right).Back to article page