Forensic Science Student Resource

Vertebrae

image002Your vertebral column consists of 33 pieces divided into three different categories.There are 24 vertebrae on the average human skeleton (C1 being at the top, C7 connecting with T1, T12 connecting with L1 and L5 being at the bottom).

Cervical Vertebrae 

First, the cervical vertebrae make up your neck region. There are 7 cervical vertebrae (C1 to C7). C1 (called the Atlas) articulates with the occipital bone. This is where your skull attaches with the rest of your skeleton. The Atlas rotates on C2, which is referred to as the Axis and this relationship allows you to turns your head from side to side.

C

 Thoracic Vertebrae

Second, are the thoracic vertebrae. There are 12 in total (T1 to T12) that can be thought of as the mid-back back region.  The ribs connect with these vertebrae.

thorasic_vertebrae

Lumbar Vertebrae

Thirdly, there are the lumbar vertebrae. There are 5 lumbar vertebrae (L1 to L5), and this area can be thought of as your lower back. They are the largest of the three types of vertebrae.

l

 Sacrum 

Also part of the vertebral column is the Sacrum. The sacrum consists of 5 bones (S1 to S5) that fuse to form the whole sacrum, which articulates with the innominate bones of the pelvis. The top part of the sacrum articulates with L5.

sacrum2

Coccyx

The coccyx (the coccygeal vertebrae). This is commonly called the tailbone. There are 1-4 bones that fuse together to form the coccyx, which articulates with S5 of the sacrum.