Your spine starts with 33 bones, not 26
The human spine begins with 33 separate vertebrae that fuse during development into 26 robust units, providing essential support and flexibility for movement and protecting the spinal cord.
At birth, a human spine has 33 individual vertebrae, but these gradually fuse together as we grow. This process results in 26 stable bony units that form the backbone of our skeleton. This fusion strengthens the spine, allowing it to bear the weight of the head and torso while enabling a wide range of motion.
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