The vertebral column in a typical adult consists of thirty three vertebrae arranged in five regions, seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral, and four coccygeal. Vertebrae vary in size from one division of the column to another, and even within each division, but the basic structure is the same. Cervical vertebrae form the skeleton of the neck. The cervical vertebrae are located between the cranium and the thoracic vertebrae. They are the smallest of the movable vertebrae because they bear less weight. The thoracic vertebrae are in the upper back and attach to the ribs. Lumbar vertebrae have are large because the bear more weight than the upper level vertebrae. The sacrum provides strength and stability to the pelvis. The
