Also called: spine, backbone, spinal column
The vertebral column is the flexible bony axis of the trunk. It has 24 movable vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar) plus the sacrum and coccyx. It protects the spinal cord, supports the head and trunk and provides attachment for the ribs and back muscles.
| Type | Series of irregular bones separated by intervertebral discs. |
|---|---|
| Location | Posterior midline of the trunk, from the skull to the pelvis. |
| Landmarks | Vertebral body, arch, spinous and transverse processes, articular processes, intervertebral foramina, cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral curvatures. |
| Articulations | Skull (atlanto-occipital), ribs (thoracic vertebrae), hip bones (via the sacrum). |
| Muscle attachments | Erector spinae, multifidus, psoas major, trapezius, rhomboids, and many others. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The spine has four curves: cervical and lumbar lordosis and thoracic and sacral kyphosis. The curves increase resilience and help balance the head over the pelvis.
24 movable vertebrae plus the fused sacrum and coccyx.
Cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacral (5 fused) and coccygeal (about 4 fused).
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