General characteristics of the vertebral column

Question 1

what is the number of vertebrae in a typical adolescent?

Answer 1

33 segments

Question 2

what is the number of vertebrae in a typical adult?

Answer 2

26 segments

Question 3

what constitutes the spine?

Answer 3

24 presacral segments; the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae

Question 4

which mammals have more than seven cervical vertebrae?

Answer 4

ant bear and three-toed sloth

Question 5

which mammals have less than seven cervical vertebrae?

Answer 5

manatee and two-toed sloth

Question 6

what does the term “cervical” refer to?

Answer 6

region of the neck

Question 7

what does the term “thoracic” refer to?

Answer 7

breast plate or chest; it referred to the armor bearing region of the torso

Question 8

what other term is often used to identify the vertebral segments of the chest?

Answer 8

dorsal segments; the dorsals

Question 9

what does the term “lumbar” refer to?

Answer 9

the loin; the region between the rib and the hip

Question 10

what does the term “sacrum” refer to?

Answer 10

holy bone or holy region

Question 11

what does the term “coccyx” refer to?

Answer 11

cuckoo birds’ bill or cuckoo birds’ beak