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The __________ includes two adjacent vertebrae and the joints that link them, as well as the skeletal muscles that move the joints.

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Final answer:

The musculoskeletal system includes two adjacent vertebrae, the joints that connect them, and the skeletal muscles that enable their movement. These joints allow for limited motion that sums up to enable significant flexibility and rotation of the spine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The structure that includes two adjacent vertebrae, the joints that link them, and the skeletal muscles that move these joints is part of the musculoskeletal system of the human body. The joints involved are the partly movable joints such as the symphysis joints formed by each intervertebral disc and the synovial joints between the superior and inferior articular processes. These joints, specifically known as zygapophysial or facet joints, along with the skeletal muscles attached by tendons, work together to enable the spine to have a range of movements including flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. Movements in the spine are essential for daily activities, with different types of movements being predominant in various regions of the spine: rotation is mainly in the thoracic region, whereas the cervical and lumbar regions allow for a wider range of motions including flexion and extension.

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