21
7 cervical vertebrae + 12 thoracic vertebrae + 5 lumbar verterbae + 5 sacral vertebrae + 4 caudal vertebrae = 33
The spinal column is made of 31-33 bones, some of which are fused. There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacral and 2-4 coccogeal vertebrae.
The bones of the spine are called vertebrae. There are 33 total vertebrae in 5 regions: cervical (7), thoracic (12), lumbar (5), sacral (5), and coccygael (4). (The 5 bones of the sacral region are fused, as are the 4 bones of the coccygeal region.)
Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Coccyx
A sacral vertebra is one of the bones in the spine located in the lower back, just below the lumbar vertebrae. There are typically five sacral vertebrae that are fused together to form the sacrum, which connects the spine to the hip bones. The sacral vertebrae play a role in supporting the weight of the body and protecting the spinal cord.
The vertebrae consist of the vertebral body, spinous process, transverse process, and articular processes. There are 33 vertebrae in total, including 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacral vertebrae (fused into the sacrum), and 4 coccygeal vertebrae (fused into the coccyx).
Six
The median sacral crest on the sacrum is a bony ridge formed by fusion of sacral vertebrae, indicating where the individual vertebrae once were. In contrast, the median sacral crest on lumbar vertebrae does not exist, as lumbar vertebrae do not fuse in the same way as sacral vertebrae.
Overall, sacral vertebrae problems are not common in horses. However, it is possible for the sacral vertebrae to become fractured, dislocated or infected, all of which can compress the pelvic limb spinal nerves that run through the sacral vertebrae.
The sacral vertebrae, typically comprising five fused vertebrae (S1-S5), form the sacrum, a triangular bone located at the base of the spine. This fusion provides structural stability and support for the pelvis, connecting the spine to the hip bones. Additionally, the sacral vertebrae have unique features such as the sacral canal and foramina, which allow for the passage of nerves and blood vessels. Their fusion and shape contribute to weight distribution during standing and movement.
The individual bones of the spine are called vertebrae. There are 33 vertebrae in total, categorized into five regions: cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), lumbar (lower back), sacral (pelvis), and coccygeal (tailbone).
The vertebral column usually consists of 33 vertebrae: 24presacral vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, and 5 lumbar) followed by the sacrum (5 fused sacral vertebrae) and the coccyx (4 frequently fused coccygeal vertebrae).