Spine

The spine is a long chain of bones in vertebrates used to support the back and the brain and protect the spinal cord.

The spine is an intricate set of bones, muscles, nerves and discs. It is divided into five regions: cervical (neck bones); thoracic (in the chest); lumbar (low back); sacral (attached to the pelvis); and, coccygeal (the tail bone). Each region has a number of vertebral bones. There are usually seven cervical vertebral bones, twelve thoracic bones, and five lumbar vertebral bones. The sacrum is a single, large, fused bone. The coccyx is made of one or two small bones. The Regions of the Spine

See also

• Skeleton
• List of bodily organs
• Cerebellum

External links

• Spine Journal
• The spinal column