Final answer:
The five sections of the vertebral column, from top to bottom, are the cervical region with seven vertebrae (C1-C7), the thoracic region with twelve (T1-T12), the lumbar region with five (L1-L5), followed by the sacrum and the coccyx, which are fused structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regions of the Vertebral Column
The human vertebral column consists of various regions with a specific number of vertebrae in each section. From top to bottom, the five sections of the vertebral column are:
- Cervical region, with seven vertebrae (C1-C7).
- Thoracic region, with twelve vertebrae (T1-T12).
- Lumbar region, with five vertebrae (L1-L5).
- Sacrum, which is formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae.
- Coccyx, also known as the tailbone, resulting from the fusion of four coccygeal vertebrae.
The 24 vertebrae are individual separate bones, while the sacrum and coccyx are fused structures that complete the adult spinal column.