Twenty-six vertebrae form the vertebral column of the human body. They are named by region:
- Cervical (neck) – 7 vertebrae
- Thoracic (chest) – 12 vertebrae
- Lumbar (lower back) – 5 vertebrae
- Sacrum – 1 vertebra
- Coccyx (tailbone) – 1 vertebra
With the exception of the singular sacrum and coccyx, each vertebra is named for the first letter of its region and its position along the superior-inferior axis. For example, the most superior thoracic vertebra is called T1 and the most inferior is called T12.
