Technically, the spine consists of 33 vertebrae at birth, but some fuse together during development, resulting in 26 vertebrae in adulthood. Here's a breakdown:
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Cervical Vertebrae (7): Located in the neck.
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Thoracic Vertebrae (12): Located in the upper back, connecting to the ribs.
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Lumbar Vertebrae (5): Located in the lower back.
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Sacrum (1): Consists of 5 fused vertebrae. While it's technically fused, it is commonly considered as a functional single unit (the sacrum) in the adult spine count.
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Coccyx (1): The tailbone, consisting of 3-5 fused vertebrae (usually 4). Similar to the sacrum, it's functionally considered a single unit.
Therefore, the 26 vertebrae are organized as follows:
| Region | Number of Vertebrae |
|---|---|
| Cervical | 7 |
| Thoracic | 12 |
| Lumbar | 5 |
| Sacrum (fused) | 1 |
| Coccyx (fused) | 1 |
| Total | 26 |
The 26 vertebrae, individually and collectively, provide support, flexibility, and protection for the spinal cord.
