Each vertebra has a central opening, the vertebral foramen, which collectively forms the vertebral canal. The vertebral canal houses the spinal cord, a long, thin, tube-like structure made up of nervous tissue, extending from the base of the brain down to the lower back.
The vertebral column, also known as the spine or backbone, is a complex structure composed of 33 vertebrae that extend from the skull to the tailbone. The vertebrae are divided into five regions: cervical (7 vertebrae), thoracic (12 vertebrae), lumbar (5 vertebrae), sacrum (5 fused vertebrae), and coccyx (4 fused vertebrae). Each vertebra has a unique shape and function, but they all share certain characteristics. vertebrae with nerves
| Region | Vertebrae | Nerve pairs | Notes | |--------|-----------|--------------|-------| | Cervical | C1–C7 | C1–C8 | C1 exits above C1; C8 exits below C7 vertebra | | Thoracic | T1–T12 | T1–T12 | Each exits below its same-numbered vertebra | | Lumbar | L1–L5 | L1–L5 | Exit below same-numbered vertebra | | Sacral | S1–S5 (fused) | S1–S5 | Exit through anterior sacral foramina | | Coccygeal | 1 | 1 pair | Exit through sacral hiatus | Each vertebra has a central opening, the vertebral
For example, the exits between the C5 and C6 vertebrae. The vertebrae are divided into five regions: cervical
The nerves that arise from the vertebrae are: