Video - Bones of the vertebral column

The human vertebral column, also known as the spinal column or simply the spine, is a long, flexible structure made up of bones (vertebrae) separated by small cushions of intervertebral discs. It functions to protect the spinal cord, support the weight of the head, and allow movement of the trunk and limbs. The vertebral column is composed of 33 bones in total: 7 cervical (neck), 12 thoracic (chest), 5 lumbar (lower back), 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal (fused into the coccyx). When viewed from the side, the spine has an S-shape. This is due to the inward curve of the cervical spine, and a gentle outward curve in the thoracic region. The lumbar spine slightly curves inward just like the cervical spine. All these curves help to distribute the weight of the head and body evenly and act as shock absorbers during movement.