Vertebral column means spine. The spine is formed by 33 vertebrae along the midline on the human surface. Vertebrae are joined by cartilage called symphysis to form the spine. Intervertebral foramen is on either side of the junction of two vertebrae. The average length of the spine is 70 cm in males and 60 cm in females. There are 5 types of vertebrae in the spine.
1. Cervical vertebrae: its number is 7. The first vertebra is called the atlas and the second vertebra is called the axis. The remaining 5 are ideal vertebrae.
2. Thoracic vertebrae: Its number is 12. Each vertebra has facets called capitulum and tuberculum
3. Lumber vertebrae: 5 in number. Their transverse processes are massive.
4. Sacral vertebrae: their number is 5. They join at 26 to form the sacrum. It has 4 pairs of 8 pairs of sacrum holes.
5. Coccygeal vertebrae: Their number is 4. It has 2 articulated cornua on its surface.