CLEVELAND - Osteoporosis is blamed for backbone fractures. The real culprit could well be our own vertebrae, which evolved to absorb the pounding of upright walking, researchers at Case Western ... Spinal Column and Structure of the Spine The spinal column, also known as the backbone or vertebral column, is made up of 33 individual bones called vertebrae.

Understanding the Context

The vertebrae are stacked on top of each other and separated by intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers. Lumbar retrolisthesis is when parts of your backbone are slipping backward on one another. Although this condition generally causes few symptoms, there’s evidence that lumbar retrolisthesis can lead ... Vertebra ...

Key Insights

Each vertebra (pl.: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spinal segment and the particular species. There are five lumbar vertebrae in most humans, which are the largest in the vertebral column. They are structurally specialised to support the weight of the torso. It comprises 33 small bones called vertebrae, which remain separated by cartilaginous intervertebral discs.

Final Thoughts

The vertebral column forms the axial skeleton, skull bones, ribs, and sternum. Your spine is a complex structure of small bones (vertebrae), disks, joints, ligaments and muscles. Your spine protects your spinal cord and nerves. Vertebral column, in vertebrate animals, the flexible column extending from neck to tail, made of bones called vertebrae. The major function of the vertebral column is to protect the spinal cord; it also is an attachment for many muscles.