Anatomy
Head and Neck
How many vertebrae make up the vertebral column:
Answer:
There are 33 vertebrae: seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five fused sacral and four fused coccygeal vertebrae.Vertebral Column Bones
Anatomy / Head and Neck / Vertebral Column
Last Updated: 2nd May 2019
The vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae: seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five fused sacral and four fused coccygeal vertebrae.
Structural Overview
A typical vertebra consists of a vertebral body and a vertebral arch.
The vertebral body is anterior and is separated from adjacent vertebral bodies by fibrocartilaginous intervertebral discs. The size of the vertebral body increases inferiorly as the amount of weight supported increases.
The vertebral arch is anchored to the posterior surface of the vertebral body by two pedicles, which form the lateral pillars of the arch. The roof of the vertebral arch is formed by the right and left laminae which fuse at the midline.
A spinous process projects posteriorly and inferiorly from the roof of the vertebral arch and is a site for muscle and ligament attachment.
On each side of the vertebral arch, a transverse process extends laterally from the region where a lamina meets a pedicle and is a site for articulation with ribs in the thoracic region. From the same region, a superior articular process and an inferior articular process articulate with similar processes on adjacent vertebrae.
The vertebral arches are aligned to form the lateral and posterior walls of the vertebral foramen; the vertebral foramina of all the vertebrae together form the vertebral canal.
![By Jmarchn (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons](https://mrcemsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vertebrae-1024x481.png)
Vertebral Column. (Image by Jmarchn (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)
Report A Problem
Is there something wrong with this question? Let us know and we’ll fix it as soon as possible.
Loading Form...
- Biochemistry
- Blood Gases
- Haematology
| Biochemistry | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 135 – 145 mmol/l |
| Potassium | 3.0 – 4.5 mmol/l |
| Urea | 2.5 – 7.5 mmol/l |
| Glucose | 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/l |
| Creatinine | 35 – 135 μmol/l |
| Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) | 5 – 35 U/l |
| Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) | < 65 U/l |
| Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) | 30 – 135 U/l |
| Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) | < 40 U/l |
| Total Protein | 60 – 80 g/l |
| Albumin | 35 – 50 g/l |
| Globulin | 2.4 – 3.5 g/dl |
| Amylase | < 70 U/l |
| Total Bilirubin | 3 – 17 μmol/l |
| Calcium | 2.1 – 2.5 mmol/l |
| Chloride | 95 – 105 mmol/l |
| Phosphate | 0.8 – 1.4 mmol/l |
| Haematology | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 11.5 – 16.6 g/dl |
| White Blood Cells | 4.0 – 11.0 x 109/l |
| Platelets | 150 – 450 x 109/l |
| MCV | 80 – 96 fl |
| MCHC | 32 – 36 g/dl |
| Neutrophils | 2.0 – 7.5 x 109/l |
| Lymphocytes | 1.5 – 4.0 x 109/l |
| Monocytes | 0.3 – 1.0 x 109/l |
| Eosinophils | 0.1 – 0.5 x 109/l |
| Basophils | < 0.2 x 109/l |
| Reticulocytes | < 2% |
| Haematocrit | 0.35 – 0.49 |
| Red Cell Distribution Width | 11 – 15% |
| Blood Gases | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.35 – 7.45 |
| pO2 | 11 – 14 kPa |
| pCO2 | 4.5 – 6.0 kPa |
| Base Excess | -2 – +2 mmol/l |
| Bicarbonate | 24 – 30 mmol/l |
| Lactate | < 2 mmol/l |
