Vertebral column anatomy in 3D

The vertebral column, formed by cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae.

The column is usually formed by 7 cervical, 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar vertebrae, plus the fused sacrum and coccyx. Its cervical and lumbar lordoses and thoracic and sacral kyphoses distribute load and absorb shock, and the vertebral canal formed by the vertebral foramina protects the spinal cord.