Vertebral column

The vertebral column, commonly known as the spine, is a flexible structure made up of 33 individual bones called vertebrae. It runs from the base of the skull to the lower back and serves multiple essential functions: it provides support for the body, protects the spinal cord (which is crucial for transmitting nerve signals), and allows for movement and flexibility. The spine is divided into five regions—cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), lumbar (lower back), sacral (pelvic area), and coccygeal (tailbone)—each playing a specific role in overall body mechanics and posture.