Characteristics of a healthy spine

The vertebrae of the spine are split into five categories: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx. In total, there are 33 vertebrae, with 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacral vertebrae, and 4 caudal vertebrae, with sacral and coccyx fused together. 26 vertebrae participate in motion of the spine, which is held together by the joint capsules and surrounding muscles. Together, they carry out the spine's primary functions, protect the spinal cord, and maintain normal human motion.