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Anatomy & physiology · Practice quiz
Vertebral column anatomy
The five regions of the vertebral column in one table, then a free quiz with every answer explained. Your score is free, no sign-up needed.
- 5 regions in 1 table
- Answers explained
- No sign-up needed
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The answer
The five regions of the vertebral column
The vertebral column is the stack of bones that runs down the middle of the back. It protects the spinal cord, supports the body and lets the trunk bend and turn.
| Region | Vertebrae | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical | 7 (C1 to C7) | Neck | The smallest vertebrae. C1 is the atlas and C2 is the axis. |
| Thoracic | 12 (T1 to T12) | Chest | Ribs attach to these vertebrae. |
| Lumbar | 5 (L1 to L5) | Low back | The largest vertebrae, built to carry the most weight. |
| Sacral | 5, fused into the sacrum | Base of the spine | One triangular bone. |
| Coccygeal | A few, fused into the coccyx | Tailbone | The lowest part of the column. |
- Intervertebral discs sit between the bodies of neighboring vertebrae and cushion them.
- The thoracic and sacral curves are the primary curves. The cervical and lumbar curves develop after birth.
- Each vertebra has a body at the front and an arch behind, and the hole between them holds the spinal cord.
For study only. This page explains how the bones are arranged and does not describe any person's back, pain or health.
Regions and key vertebrae · Question 1 of 10
0 right so far
How many cervical vertebrae are in the neck?
Bonus · unlocks with your email
Two more quizzes and a printable answer key
- Parts of a vertebra (8 questions): Body, arch, foramen and the processes you can name on a vertebra.
- Curves and discs (6 questions): Primary and secondary curves, and the layers of an intervertebral disc.
- A printable answer key for all 24 questions. Only the key prints.
More free study tools
More anatomy study tools
Sources
Where the facts come from
Every fact is reworded from these pages. This is an educational study tool and is not a school.
- OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, The Vertebral Column
Regions, vertebra parts, curves and discs
- WSU Gross Anatomy textbook, The vertebral column
Region counts, primary curves, atlas and axis
Questions
Common questions
Yes. The 10 questions and your score are free and need no sign-up. An email unlocks two more sets and a printable answer key.
Seven cervical, twelve thoracic and five lumbar vertebrae, then the sacrum (five fused vertebrae) and the coccyx (a few small fused vertebrae).
The atlas is the first cervical vertebra (C1) and holds up the skull. The axis is the second (C2) and has a peg called the dens that the atlas turns around.
No. It is a study tool about how the bones are arranged and says nothing about any person's health.
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