Final answer:
The vertebral column extends from the skull to the coccyx. It is comprised of several regions including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal, and it protects the spinal cord while supporting the head and trunk.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vertebral column extends from the skull to the coccyx. It is a flexible column that supports the head and trunk, encloses the spinal cord, and is often referred to as the spine or backbone. The vertebral column is made up of 33 vertebrae that are divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. The adult vertebral column comprises 24 vertebrae, plus the sacrum and the coccyx, which result from the fusion of several smaller vertebrae.
The regions of the vertebral column are as follows: there are seven cervical vertebrae (C1-C7), twelve thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12), and five lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5). The single sacrum and the coccyx are formed from the fusion of the sacral and coccygeal vertebrae, respectively. This structural design provides flexibility and protection for the spinal cord, while also serving as an attachment for ribs and muscles.