What is the total number of vertebrae in the human spine?

The human spine is typically made up of a total of 33 vertebrae, which are distributed across different regions. There are 7 cervical vertebrae in the neck, 12 thoracic vertebrae in the upper back, and 5 lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. Additionally, there are 5 fused vertebrae that form the sacrum and 4 fused vertebrae that make up the coccyx, commonly referred to as the tailbone.

While in adults, it is common to refer to the total vertebral count as 24 when only considering the mobile segments (the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae), the full count including the fused vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx indeed amounts to 33. This total is significant in understanding the structure and function of the human spine, as it comprises both movable and immovable segments, contributing to both flexibility and stability. Hence, the correct count of vertebrae in the human spine is 33.