The 33 bones that stack to form the spinal column, supporting the body and protecting the spinal cord.
Structure
The vertebral column has five regions: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 fused sacral, and 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae. Each typical vertebra has a body, a vertebral arch, and seven processes for muscle and joint attachment.
Discs
Between adjacent vertebrae lie intervertebral discs of fibrocartilage with a gel-like inner nucleus pulposus. They absorb shock, allow small movements, and account for about a quarter of the column’s height.
Curves
The mature spine has four curves: cervical and lumbar lordosis curving forward, and thoracic and sacral kyphosis curving backward. Together they distribute weight and improve resilience to compression.
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Vertebrae starts with V and ends with E. Browse other body parts along the same letter.
Body Parts that contain a letter from "Vertebrae":