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Which bones make up the vertebral column?
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human skeleton
Front and back views of the human skeleton.
The human vertebral column is composed of a series of bones known as vertebrae, which are organized into five distinct regions.1
In humans, the vertebral column consists of the following:
- Cervical vertebrae: 7 bones located in the neck.1
- Thoracic vertebrae: 12 bones located in the chest that articulate with the ribs.1
- Lumbar vertebrae: 5 robust bones located in the lower back.1
- Sacral vertebrae: 5 bones that are fused to form the sacrum, which articulates with the pelvic girdle.1
- Caudal vertebrae: 3 to 5 bones that are fused to form the coccyx.1
Together, these structures protect the spinal cord, provide stiffening for the body, and facilitate the transmission of body weight during movement.1