Final answer:
The human vertebral column includes 33 vertebrae, with 24 distinct vertebrae plus the sacrum and coccyx, which are fused from several vertebrae.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae in total. This includes seven cervical vertebrae (C1-C7), twelve thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12), five lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5), and the segments of the sacrum and coccyx. The sacrum is a single bone derived from the fusion of five vertebrae, and the coccyx is formed from the fusion of four small coccygeal vertebrae. As the vertebral column matures, the number of distinct vertebrae is reduced to 24, which includes the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, as the sacrum and coccyx become fused.