The vertebrae have different names depending on their location. From the top down, there are:

• 7 cervical vertebrae, in the region of the cervix or neck
• 12 thoracic vertebrae (sometimes referred to as dorsal vertebrae), in the thorax (the area enclosed by the ribs)
• 5 lumbar vertebrae, between the lowest ribs and the pelvis or hip bones
• 5 sacral vertebrae (fused together to form the sacrum )
• 4 coccygeal vertebrae (fused together to form the coccyx - pronounced kock-six ); this may occasionally consist of 3 or 5 bones.