The Vertebral Column
- The vertebral column is made up of bones called vertebrae placed end to end.
- The vertebrae articulate with one another at the articulating facets.
- In between one vertebra and another is the cartilaginous material called intervertebal disc.
- The discs act as shock absorbers and allow for slight movement.
- Each vertebra consists of a centrum and a neural arch which projects into a neural spine.
- The neural canal is the cavity enclosed by the centrum and the neural arch.
- The spinal cord is located inside the canal.
- The neural spine and other projections e.g. transverse processes serve as points of attachment of muscles.
Type and number of vertebrae in human and rabbit
| Vertebrae |
Human |
Rabbit |
| Cervical (Neck) | 7 | 7 |
| Thoracic ( Thorax) | 12 | 12 |
| Lumbar (Upper Abdomen) | 5 | 7 |
|
Sacral (Lower Abdomen) |
5 | 3-4 |
|
Caudal |
4 (cocyx) | 16 |
