Intervertebral discs are located between most vertebrae in the spine, specifically from the cervical spine (neck) down to the lumbar spine (lower back). They are not present between the skull and the first cervical vertebra (C1, the atlas), or between C1 and C2 (the axis). Also, they are not found between the vertebrae of the sacrum or coccyx, as these vertebrae are fused.
Here's a breakdown:
- Cervical Spine: Discs are located between C2 and C7.
- Thoracic Spine: Discs are located between T1 and T12.
- Lumbar Spine: Discs are located between L1 and L5.
In summary, discs are found between the following vertebrae:
- C2-C3
- C3-C4
- C4-C5
- C5-C6
- C6-C7
- T1-T2
- T2-T3
- T3-T4
- T4-T5
- T5-T6
- T6-T7
- T7-T8
- T8-T9
- T9-T10
- T10-T11
- T11-T12
- T12-L1
- L1-L2
- L2-L3
- L3-L4
- L4-L5
- L5-S1
