Human vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae and ____________bones.

Options

A. 33
B. 26
C. 27
D. 29

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the human vertebral column, we need to identify the total number of bones that make up the vertebral column, which includes the vertebrae and any fused bones.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Structure of the Vertebral Column**:
- The human vertebral column, also known as the spine or backbone, is composed of small bones called vertebrae.

2. **Counting the Vertebrae**:
- The total number of vertebrae in the human vertebral column is 33. These are categorized as follows:
- **Cervical Vertebrae**: 7 vertebrae located in the neck.
- **Thoracic Vertebrae**: 12 vertebrae associated with the chest.
- **Lumbar Vertebrae**: 5 vertebrae located in the lower back.
- **Sacral Vertebrae**: 5 vertebrae that are fused to form one single bone called the sacrum.
- **Coccygeal Vertebrae**: 4 vertebrae that are fused to form one single bone called the coccyx.

3. **Calculating the Total Number of Bones**:
- While there are 33 vertebrae, the sacral and coccygeal vertebrae are fused into single bones:
- 5 sacral vertebrae → 1 sacrum
- 4 coccygeal vertebrae → 1 coccyx
- Therefore, the total number of distinct bones in the vertebral column is calculated as follows:
- 7 (cervical) + 12 (thoracic) + 5 (lumbar) + 1 (sacrum) + 1 (coccyx) = 26 bones.

4. **Final Answer**:
- The human vertebral column consists of 33 vertebrae and **26 bones**.