From top to bottom, the vertebrae are:
- Cervical spine: 7 vertebrae (C1–C7)
- Thoracic spine: 12 vertebrae (T1–T12)
- Lumbar spine: 5 vertebrae (L1–L5)
- Sacrum: 5 (fused) vertebrae (S1–S5)
- Coccyx: 4 (3–5) (fused) vertebrae (Tailbone)
How many vertebrae are in the sacrum region?
The sacrum is made up of 5 fused vertebrae (S1-S5) and 3 to 5 small bones fuse creating the coccyx. Both structures are weight-bearing and integral to functions such as walking, standing and sitting. The sacrum and coccyx are weight-bearing spinal structures.
How many vertebrae does every mammal have?
With the exception of the two sloth genera (Choloepus and Bradypus) and the manatee genus, , all mammals have seven cervical vertebrae. In other vertebrates, the number of cervical vertebrae can range from a single vertebra in amphibians to as many as 25 in swans or 76 in the extinct plesiosaur Elasmosaurus.
How many vertebrae does present human body?
The human vertebral column comprises 33 vertebrae that collectively protect the spinal cord and support the entire skeletal framework of the body. The current article provides a brief description of the number of vertebrae in humans beings along with their respective location. Home / Uncategorized / How Many Vertebrae Does a Human Being Have?
What is the number of vertebrae in the human body?
The vertebrae are the bones which make up the spinal column in humans and other vertebrates. The human body has 33 vertebrae, 24 of which make up the spine. The vertebral body is the largest part of each vertebra.
How many vertebrae does each region have?
The upper back, or thoracic spine, has 12 vertebrae, labeled T1-T12. The lower back, or lumbar spine has five vertebrae, labeled L1-L5. The sacrum and coccyx (tailbone) are made up of nine vertebrae that are fused together to form a solid bone. The sacrum is labeled S1.
What are the 4 vertebral regions?
The vertebrae are numbered and divided into regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx (Fig.
What are the 5 regions of the vertebrae?
As mentioned above, our vertebrae are numbered and divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx. Did you know? Only the top 24 bones are moveable. The vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx are fused.
How many vertebrae are in the thoracic region?
12 vertebraeYour thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae, labeled T1 through T12. Vertebrae are the 33 individual, interlocking bones that form your spinal column. These bones help protect your spinal cord from injury while allowing you to twist and turn.
How many vertebrae are in the lumbar region?
five vertebraeYour lumbar spine consists of the five vertebrae in your lower back. It provides support for the weight of your body, surrounds and protects your spinal cord, and allows for a wide range of body motions.
What are the 3 regions of the spine?
The spine has three normal curves: cervical, thoracic and lumbar.
What are the 33 vertebrae?
The spine is composed of 33 bones, called vertebrae, divided into five sections: the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine sections, and the sacrum and coccyx bones. The cervical section of the spine is made up of the top seven vertebrae in the spine, C1 to C7, and is connected to the base of the skull.
What are the 26 vertebrae?
What are the 26 bones of the spine called? The 26 bones of the spine are called vertebrae. The first 5 bones of the spine are known as the cervical vertebrae, the next 12 bones are known as the thoracic vertebrae followed by 5 lumbar vertebrae and then one fused sacral and a coccyx at the last.
What is spine region called?
The regions of the spine consist of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral.
Where is the lumbar region?
The lumbar region of the spine, more commonly known as the lower back, consists of five vertebrae labeled L1 through L5. The lumbar region is situated between the thoracic, or chest, region of the spine, and the sacrum. The lumbar spine typically has a slight inward curve known as lordosis.
What are the vertebrae in the neck region called?
The cervical spine (neck region) consists of seven bones (C1-C7 vertebrae), which are separated from one another by intervertebral discs.
What is the lower back region called?
Your lower back (lumbar spine) is the anatomic region between your lowest rib and the upper part of the buttock. Your spine in this region has a natural inward curve.
What are the 4 functions of the vertebral column?
The vertebral column provides attachments to muscles, supports the trunk, protects the spinal cord and nerve roots and serves as a site for haemopoiesis.
Where is the vertebral region?
The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The vertebral column encloses the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Also called backbone, spinal column, and spine.
Where is the 4th vertebrae?
lumbar vertebraThe body of the fourth lumbar vertebra is level with the summits of the iliac crests and bifurcation of the aorta.
Where are the 4th and 5th vertebrae?
Cervical spine: The first 7 vertebrae, located in the neck. Thoracic spine: The next 12 vertebrae, located in the chest area. Lumbar spine: The next 5 vertebrae, located in the lower back. Sacral spine: The lowest 5 vertebrae, located below the waist, also includes the 4 vertebrae that make up the tailbone (coccyx)
How many vertebrae are there in the human body?
The vertebral column originally develops as a series of 33 vertebrae, but this number is eventually reduced to 24 vertebrae, plus the sacrum and coccyx. The vertebral column is subdivided into five regions, with the vertebrae in each area named for that region and numbered in descending order.
How many vertebrae are in the adult vertebral column?
Figure 1. Vertebral Column. The adult vertebral column consists of 24 vertebrae, plus the sacrum and coccyx. The vertebrae are divided into three regions: cervical C1–C7 vertebrae, thoracic T1–T12 vertebrae, and lumbar L1–L5 vertebrae. The vertebral column is curved, with two primary curvatures (thoracic and sacrococcygeal curves) and two secondary curvatures (cervical and lumbar curves).
Why are cervical vertebrae smaller than lumbar vertebrae?
Thus, cervical vertebrae are smaller than lumbar vertebrae due to differences in the proportion of body weight that each supports. Thoracic vertebrae have sites for rib attachment, and the vertebrae that give rise to the sacrum and coccyx have fused together into single bones.
What is the spinal column?
The vertebral column is also known as the spinal column or spine (Figure 1). It consists of a sequence of vertebrae (singular = vertebra), each of which is separated and united by an intervertebral disc. Together, the vertebrae and intervertebral discs form the vertebral column.
What is the function of the vertebrae and discs?
Together, the vertebrae and intervertebral discs form the vertebral column. It is a flexible column that supports the head, neck, and body and allows for their movements. It also protects the spinal cord , which passes down the back through openings in the vertebrae. Figure 1. Vertebral Column.
How to identify excess vertebral curves?
Excessive vertebral curves can be identified while an individual stands in the anatomical position. Observe the vertebral profile from the side and then from behind to check for kyphosis or lordosis. Then have the person bend forward. If scoliosis is present, an individual will have difficulty in bending directly forward, and the right and left sides of the back will not be level with each other in the bent position.
Why do vertebral curves increase?
These curves increase the vertebral column’s strength, flexibility, and ability to absorb shock. When the load on the spine is increased, by carrying a heavy backpack for example, the curvatures increase in depth (become more curved) to accommodate the extra weight. They then spring back when the weight is removed.
How many bones are in the vertebral column?
The supporting structure called vertebral column is thus made up of 26 bones including 24 vertebrae and a sacrum and coccyx.
How many vertebrae are in the sacrum?
The sacrum is formed by the fusion of 5 (sometimes 6) vertebrae known as the sacral vertebrae named as S1 to S5. Initially they exist as separate vertebrae, and begin to fuse after the age of 18. The fusion completes between the ages of 25 to 33.
Where are the lumbar vertebrae located?
Lumbar (n = 5) The five lumbar vertebrae are present in the lower back region between the rib cage and the pelvis , and are termed L1 to L5. They enable flexion and extension movements, and help to support body weight. The vertebra body is larger than the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, and is kidney-shaped.
Which vertebrae are attached to the rib cage?
These vertebrae have special facets for the attachment of ribs. The vertebral bodies are heart-shaped and intermediate in size as compared to the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. Being attached to the rib cage they provide lesser flexibility.
What is the spine column?
The vertebral column (backbone or spine) is a characteristic feature of vertebrates. Extending from the base of the skull to the pelvis, it forms the axis of their skeletons.
Which vertebrae have spinous processes?
The next four vertebrae, C3 to C6, share a similar structure, and have short and bifid spinous processes. The last vertebra in this region, C7, has long and prominent spinous process, and hence is also called vertebra prominens. Spinous process is the region for attachment of muscles and ligaments.
What is the structure of the spinal cord?
It is made up of individual units called vertebrae, within which the spinal cord is enclosed. This structure provides protection to the spinal cord, and also influences the overall posture of the animal.
How many curvatures are there in the vertebrae?
The vertebrae are stacked on top of each other into groups. The groups of the vertebrae consist of: A normal adult has four curvatures in the vertebral column. Their main purpose is to align the head with a vertical line through the pelvis.
What is the name of the curvature in the vertebral column?
A normal adult has four curvatures in the vertebral column. Their main purpose is to align the head with a vertical line through the pelvis. Those in the chest and sacrum region are called the kyphosis, while the ones in the lower back and neck area are called lordosis. Last medically reviewed on January 23, 2018.
What is the spinal column?
The vertebral column, also known as the spinal column, is a flexible column that encloses the spinal cord and also supports the head. It consists of various groups of vertebrae and is divided into five different areas. An internal disk is located between each vertebra. A gelatinous substance called nucleus pulposus can be found in each disk, ...
Which vertebrae are smaller than the other regions?
The vertebral bodies of typical cervical vertebrae are smaller than the other regions, are wider from side to side, and have a concave superior surface and a convex inferior surface. The lateral edges of the superior surface of the vertebral bodies are each called the uncus of the body, or the uncinate process.
What is the vertebral arch?
Posterior to the vertebral body, there’s the vertebral arch, which consists of two pedicles and two laminae. The pedicles are short, thick processes that project posteriorly from the vertebral body to meet the laminae, which are two broad, flat plates of bone, that unite in the midline and complete the vertebral arch.
What are the U-shaped indentations between the vertebral bodies?
The superior articular processes, inferior articular processes, along with the pedicles, the vertebral bodies, and intervertebral discs between vertebral bodies, go on to create U shaped indentations called the superior and inferior vertebral notch.
What are facet joints?
The facet joints help keep the vertebrae properly aligned, while also allowing movement of the vertebral bodies. Furthermore, their orientation differs throughout the vertebral column. This allows for different movements of the vertebral bodies in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. While still looking from a lateral view, you can also see ...
What is the C1 vertebra?
But let’s not forget about the atypical cervical vertebrae! First, the C1 vertebra, also called the atlas, is a ring shaped bone that doesn’t have a body or a spinous process.
Which process of the vertebrae allows articulation with adjacent vertebrae?
The superior and inferior articular processes of each vertebra allow articulation with adjacent vertebrae via their articular facets. The inferior articular process of the top vertebra comes into contact with the superior articular process of the bottom vertebra, forming a zygapophyseal joint, also called a facet joint.
How many articular surfaces does a lateral mass have?
Now, the lateral masses have two superior, concave, kidney-shaped articular surfaces.
How many thoracic vertebrae are there?
It’s easy to remember that there are 12 thoracic vertebrae, because they articulate with the 12 pairs of ribs to form part of the thoracic cage, and twelve and thoracic both start with the letter “t.”. 5 lumbar vertebrae are inferior (below) the thoracic vertebrae, abbreviated as L1-L5.
How many vertebrae are there in the cervical column?
Anatomists also call this region the cervical spine. Seven and cervical both start with the same “s” sound, so that can help you remember that there are seven cervical vertebrae.
How many intervertebral discs are there?
Intervertebral Discs Anatomy. Twenty-three inter vertebral discs separate, anchor, and cushion each vertebra. However, there is no intervertebral disc between C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis), or between the sacrum and coccyx bones. As you move down the spine, these shock-absorbing pads of fibrocartilage progressively thicken in size, ...
What are the two parts of the fibrocartilage?
As you move down the spine, these shock-absorbing pads of fibrocartilage progressively thicken in size, and they consist of two main parts: the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus.
How many bones are in the vertebral column?
Vertebral Column Anatomy. The vertebral column is part of the axial skeleton, and it is made of 33 individual bones during youth, which anatomists classify as irregular bones. Approximately nine of the bones at the terminal end of the spine later fuse in adulthood to form two larger bones: the sacrum and the coccyx.
Which discs are capped superiorly and inferiorly with a thin cartilaginous endplate?
The intervertebral discs are capped superiorly and inferiorly with a thin cartilaginous endplate.
What are the primary curvatures?
Primary curvatures, also called kyphotic curves, are curves that were present during fetal development. These curves are convex, curving outwardly toward the backside. They include the thoracic curvature (T1-T12), and the sacrococcygeal curvature, which includes the sacrum and coccyx bone.
How many vertebrae are in the cervical spine?
List each of the regions of the spine and state how many vertebrae there are in each. Cervical = 7 vertebrae; thoracic = 12 vertebrae; lumbar = 5 vertebrae; sacrum = 5. vertebrae (fused together). Describe the anatomy of the intervertebral disk.
What is it called when one vertebra slips forward on another vertebra?
Spondylolysis. When one vertebra slips or shunts forward on another due to instability, it is called. spondylolisthesis. The network of nerves that exit the cervical spine and run a course through the shoulder.
What are the three strategies for preventing spine injuries?
Identify three strategies for preventing spine injuries. Perform exercises to maintain strength and flexibility, maintain proper posture, and use. proper lifting mechanics. Explain how the intervertebral disks become injured.
Which nerves exit the cervical spine and run a course?
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that exit the cervical spine and run a course
Which part of the spine is covered with a thick ligament?
Front; Front of the spine is covered with a thick ligament and most people have postures that flex the spine. forward which puts more pressure on the front of the disk pushing the nucleus pulposus backwards.
Is the spine curvature normal?
The spine should have a normal curvature at each of these areas and normal alignment where the spinal curves of
