Axis
The Axis is your second cervical vertebrae and is the strongest bone in your spine. It has a peg-like projects that fits into a notch in the atlas - the first of your 33 vertebrae. This allows you to move your head from side to side. Atlas
Tha atlas is the uppermost bone in your spine and is more ring-shape than any other vertebrae. Two bulges on your skull's base fit int cup-shape areas called facets. These joints title the skull up and down, so that you can nod your head. Cervical Vertebrae
Your seven cervical vertebrae form the upper part of your spine, between the skull and the chest. Compared with other bone in your spine, cervical vertebrae have two extra holes through which blood vessesl pass. The third to sixth vertebrae also have a short spinous process to which muscles are attached. Thoracic Vertebrae
Your 12 Thoracic(chest) vertebrae form the part of the spine between your neck and your lower back. Only thoracic vertebrae have cup-shaped surfaces, called facets, that form movable joints with your hips. These joints help the ribs to move up and down during breathing. Lumbar vertebrae
The five lumbar vertebrae are the largest and strongest of the vertebrae. They are found in your lower back between the chest and the hips, where their sturdy shape is well suited to their weight-bearing function. The strong muscles of the back are attached to their thick, spinous processes. Sacrum and Coccyx
Your Sacrum and Coccyx are the bones found at the base of your spine, or backbone. The triangular sacrum - made up of five vertebrae fused together - supports the spine and connects to the pelvis. Your coccyx, or tail bone is formed from four fused vertebrae and has no function. Discs
The vertebral disc is an interesting and unique structure. Its primary purpose is to act as a shock absorber. Discs are actually composed of two parts: a tough outer core and a soft inner core and the configuration has been likened to a jelly doughnut. At birth, eighty percent of the disc is composed of water. With age, the discs dehydrate and become stiffer.